International

The second Summit for Democracy is taking place on 29–30 March. Sweden is represented at the virtual summit and several side events by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

Foreign direct investments are hugely important to Sweden’s business sector. At the same time, there are risks associated with foreign actors investing in protected activities. The Government has therefore today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for a new act under which investments that involve security risks can be reviewed by a special screening authority and, if necessary, prohibited.

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.

On Monday 20 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will attend the international donors’ conference in Brussels. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU initiated the donors’ conference to help the people in Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquakes.

On 20–21 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission will co-host the European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels. The Forum brings together decision-makers and key actors from the humanitarian community with the aim of strengthening the EU’s role as a humanitarian actor. The Forum will be chaired by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business, and Industry Ebba Busch.

Speech delivered by Jakob Forssmed at the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on 13 March 2023. Check against delivery.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell received Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir Saleh in Stockholm on 14 March. During the visit, the ministers participated in a Swedish-Egyptian business forum together with business representatives.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

Earthquakes: The European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency will host an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria on 20 March in Brussels.

One year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Sweden has provided humanitarian, military and civil support to Ukraine. Sweden’s military support to Ukraine has more than tripled since the current Government took office. Over the last twelve months, the EU – including Sweden – has adopted a series of sweeping sanctions packages against Russia Sweden will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

On 14 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will present the Government’s Music Export Prize for 2022. The nominees include internationally renowned Swedish artists and songwriters.

This support is intended to strengthen the two countries’ efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of women and girls and promote their opportunities and rights in both the short and the long term. The support will be channelled through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women.

The Government has decided to donate 722 000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the COVAX global vaccine initiative. Sweden has thereby donated more than 15 million doses and contributed more than SEK 2 billion to global vaccination efforts against COVID-19.

On 27 February, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Nations hosted a high-level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis hosted the event, which raised almost USD 1.2 billion for life-saving assistance. Sweden pledged more than USD 25 million.

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU is toughening its sanctions against Russia. This is the first sanctions package adopted under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The new sanctions include measures such as expanded export restrictions on technological and industrial products vital to Russia’s economy and military capability.

War and displacement bring with them an increased risk of people being exploited in prostitution and human trafficking. Women and children are at particularly high risk when families are separated as a result of war. New international support material has therefore been produced to support Swedish and foreign diplomatic missions in their efforts to combat human trafficking.

National Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Jan Knutsson, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, at the Resumed Eleventh Emergency Special Session on Ukraine, New York, 22 February 2023.

As part of the Government’s clear prioritisation of Ukraine, yet another extensive Swedish support package is being allocated to the country. The support focuses on humanitarian operations and Ukraine’s energy sector.