Strategy for international civilian crisis management and peace support 2020–2023 Reference No.: UD2019/19501/ES

In this context, the EU is our most important foreign and security policy arena, and the EU Global Strategy guides our approach in this area. This is even more important in a time of increasing cross-border threats and interconnection between internal and external security. In this context, implementation of the EU Civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Compact becomes especially important during the strategy period. Sweden also chairs the OSCE in 2021. Our national and common security are advanced by crisis management and peace support operations that contribute to increased security, the rule of law, democratic values and respect for human rights in the countries of operation.

The objective of Sweden’s international development cooperation is to create opportunities for people living in poverty and oppression to improve their living conditions. Development cooperation is based on the principles of aid and development effectiveness, and the new international agreements reached by the international community in 2015.

The purpose of the strategy for international civilian crisis management and peace support is to contribute to preventing, managing and resolving crises and conflicts, and to contribute to building sustainable peace and security.

The development agenda comprises the 2030 Agenda including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets, the outcome document of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) (Addis Ababa Action Agenda) and the Paris Agreement.

The strategy will apply in 2020–2023 and will be financed primarily through development cooperation, expenditure area 7, International development cooperation, in accordance with terms for appropriations items in the appropriation directions for relevant government agencies and authorities regarding international civilian crisis management, appropriation 1:1 Development assistance, appropriation items 12, 20, 41, 42, 43 and 44.

This strategy takes into account the conclusions and priorities set out in the Government’s policy framework for Swedish development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (2016/17:60) and the Government communication on Sweden’s overall policy for international civilian and military crisis management (2016/17:196). The relevant goals of the 2030 Agenda and Sweden’s national security strategy are key premises.

Activities will contribute to the following objectives:

Achieving global multilateral capacity to act quickly and purposefully in civilian crisis management and peace support, and develop Swedish civilian participation in the partnerships and organisations engaged in crisis management and peace support operations

1. Strengthened capacity of central organisations for crisis management and peace support to contribute to human security, the rule of law and democratic principles, gender equality and respect for human rights.
2. Enhanced capability of central organisations for civilian crisis management and peace support to prevent, manage and resolve crises and conflicts and, by extension, build sustainable peace and security.
3. Support and contribute to international civilian crisis management and peace support within the framework of the mission and mandate.
4. Enhanced knowledge about the role and synergies of civilian crisis management and peace support operations in conflict- and crisis situations.
5. Draw on experiences from and, as far as possible, contribute to strengthening, collaborations between relevant international organisations – especially the EU and the UN.
6. Strengthen Sweden’s civilian crisis management and peace support capability, including effective preparedness, collaboration and the provision of qualified personnel.
7. Strengthened gender mainstreaming and increased gender equality in international civilian crisis management and peace support.