International development cooperation

The situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is increasingly critical following recent developments, and a large number of people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing SEK 15 million in support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet people’s urgent needs, including medical transport, food and cash grants to be able to purchase the most essential items.

The needs for assistance in Libya are immense after the country was hit hard by Storm Daniel, which caused widespread flooding. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing initial support of SEK 15 million for life-saving activities in the form of food provision, medicines and other essential emergency items to support survivors.

Sweden’s development assistance for health amounted to approximately SEK 6 billion in 2022. This report focuses on the contributions Sweden’s development assistance for health has made in four key areas, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and prevention and management of health threats.

National Statement at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) delivered by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström on behalf of Sweden. New York, September 2023 Check against delivery

The Government is now increasing support to the World Food Programme (WFP) by SEK 239 million to immediately address the deepened global hunger crisis, which has been exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The funds will be used to address the huge needs in many of the world’s hardest hit countries.

On 18–26 September, several high-level meetings will be held in connection with the opening of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson will attend.

On 4–5 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Cairo for meetings with the Egyptian Government and Swedish and Egyptian companies. Egypt is Sweden’s second-largest export market on the African continent, and the aim of the trip is to further trade between the countries.

On 21 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell attended an annual conference on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The discussions focused on how to facilitate the business sector’s engagement in reconstruction efforts.

The Government has adopted a new strategy for Sweden’s recovery and reform cooperation with Ukraine for 2023–2027. The strategy will provide a total of approximately EUR 522 million (SEK 6 billion) and is Sweden’s largest-ever bilateral development assistance strategy.

EUR 5.6 billion has been pledged to the Syrian people and Syrian refugees in the neighbouring countries during the annual donor conference in Brussels.

Sweden is donating approximately EUR 14.1 million million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for reconstruction work in Türkiye in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in February. This support will contribute to building homes, increasing access to health and social care services, restoring people’s possibilities to support themselves and rebuilding vital infrastructure.

Today, Wednesday 8 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is hosting an international conference on recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. The aim is to promote and facilitate private sector engagement in these efforts, and to prepare for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21–22 June.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the recommendation to establish a Crisis Facility for the International Development Association. This Facility is a funding programme for Ukraine, Moldova and the poorest countries affected by the war in Ukraine. Sweden has been a driving force in this work. The Swedish Government assumed a leading role at an early stage with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell’s announcement of SEK 600 million in assistance to Ukraine and Moldova in December 2022.

Sweden and the majority of World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in the WHO European Region have decided to relocate the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases from Moscow to Copenhagen. The decision was taken in support of Ukraine and enables the WHO to continue its work fighting noncommunicable diseases in Europe.

Opening remarks by Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell at the European Humanitarian Forum on 20 March 2023 in Brussels. Check against delivery.

Closing remarks by Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse at the European Humanitarian Forum on 21 March 2023 in Brussels. Check against delivery.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at the European Humanitarian Forum on 20 March in Brussels. Check against delivery.

The fourth EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting will be held in Luleå on 30-31 May as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Today, a total of €7 billion were pledged by the international community at the ‘Together for the people of Türkiye and Syria’ International Donors’ Conference, co-hosted by the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, and by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council.

Today, Monday 20 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission hosted an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. At the Conference, Sweden presented its total support of approximately EUR 45 million. Pledges made at the Conference totalled approximately EUR 7 billion.