International development cooperation

The overall objective of the Strategy for sustainable peace is to contribute to prevention of armed conflict, effective conflict resolution, sustainable peacebuilding and statebuilding, increased human security in fragile and conflict-affected states, and empowerment of women as well as of youth, children and other excluded groups in these situations.

Sexuality education and reproductive health on the agenda when Minister for Education participates in launch of UNESCO’s new handbook for sexuality education during visit to South Africa and Zambia on 12–16 January.

The Swedish Government has adopted a new strategy for human rights, democracy and the rule of law that will apply to Swedish development cooperation between 2018 and 2022. The overall objective of the strategy is to contribute to secure, just and inclusive democratic societies that protect and respect the equal rights of all. The strategy will apply in 2018–2022 and covers the funds allocated in the appropriation directions of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Folke Bernadotte Academy for each budget year.

The Swedish Government has adopted a new strategy for human rights, democracy and the rule of law that will apply to Swedish development cooperation between 2018 and 2022.

On 7 December, the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU hosted two panel discussions on women and girls in EU migration policy. The discussions provided input to political decision making processes in the field of migration.

Future relations between Europe and Africa are the subject of discussion as leaders from the European Union and the African Union, AU, meet in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 29–30 November. The Summit, which is the fifth between the EU and the AU, will particularly focus on investing in youth.

When Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and other EU Heads of State and Government met their counterparts from the Eastern Partnership countries in Brussels 24 November, reforms, deepened and broadened cooperation were on the agenda. Prime Minister Löfven particularly stressed the importance of democracy and human rights, gender equality and a strong civil society.

Within the framework of this strategy, Swedish development cooperation with Zimbabwe is to contribute to greater respect for human rights, democratic develop- ment and strengthened rule of law, equitable health, sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development. The strategy will apply for the period 2017–2021 and is worth a total of SEK 1500 million.

This autumn, the Government will present Sweden’s largest aid budget ever. In a time when aid is needed more than ever, the money will be used to address the biggest challenges of our time: the humanitarian crisis, sustainable development, peace and human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström and Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lövin.

Within the framework of this strategy, Sweden’s development cooperation with Iraq will contribute to peacebuilding and statebuilding in the country. The aim is to contribute to a peaceful society, respect for human rights and gender equality. The strategy will apply for the period 2017–2021 and comprise SEK 1 billion for activities implemented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and SEK 30 million for activities implemented by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) for the entire period.

New York, 9 June 2017. Check against delivery.

The Ocean Conference, co-chaired by Sweden and Fiji, concluded after an intensive week at the United Nations in New York. On 9 June, the countries of the world agreed on the Call for Action, confirming the political momentum that has been established to save the oceans.

Worlds Oceans Day in New York, 8 June 2017. Check against delivery.

Towards Achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Report on the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development - Compilation of operational examples.

In December 2016, the Government adopted a new policy framework outlining the direction of Swedish development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The policy framework has now been translated into English.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström at SIPRI Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, 3-4 May 2017, Stockholm. Check against delivery.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) are co-hosting the fourth annual Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development on 3–4 May.