Sweden’s foreign policy work with human rights and digital issues
Published
Sweden plays a high-profile role in efforts to shape multilateral cooperation on digital issues. Together with Zambia, Sweden led efforts to develop the Global Digital Compact (GDC), which was adopted at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. The GDC is the first comprehensive agreement on digital issues that aims to bridge digital divides, accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote inclusive and secure digitalisation and AI governance based on international law, including human rights.
Through the GDC, UN Member States have agreed on a number of key principles aimed at shaping an inclusive, secure and sustainable digital future for all.
These principles include:
- protection and promotion of human rights online: ensuring that digital technologies are used in ways that respect and promote human rights, including freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and protection against discrimination;
- ethical use of artificial intelligence: promote the development and use of artificial intelligence in an ethical way that is consistent with human rights; and
- data protection and privacy: give every person control over how their data is used and ensure that their privacy and private life is respected in the digital space.
Sweden also plays an active role in other ways, such as leadership in negotiations in the UNHRC on the resolution on human rights on the internet, which is presented every three years.
Sweden has been a member of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) since 2011. Today, the FOC is one of the main platforms for like-minded governments to share information and coordinate positions on human rights on the internet. The FOC regularly publishes statements and in various ways forms opinion against human rights violations on the internet. Focus areas have included disinformation, surveillance technology, internet shutdowns, AI, cybersecurity and digital inclusion. In 2025, Sweden became a member of the FOC’s Steering Committee.
The EU has taken a leading role in ensuring that digital development strengthens human rights and democracy. This includes identifying and combatting digital threats to democracy, such as disinformation and attempts to influence elections and protecting people from harmful content online, as well as protecting freedom of expression and other human rights. The EU’s work comprises several key initiatives, including legislation and action plans – such as the Action Plan against Disinformation and the Digital Services Act.
External sources for further information about work with human rights and digital issues around the world.
Sweden’s foreign policy work for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
This webpage is part of the theme page about Sweden’s foreign policy work for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
