Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin in Washington D.C. to strengthen cooperation on total defence and cyber security

The visit to the US capital takes place against the backdrop of Sweden’s NATO membership and the deteriorating security situation in Europe, which underlines the need for strong ties between the two countries. During his visit, Mr Bohlin will meet with White House representatives to discuss the geopolitical situation, the importance of long-term support to Ukraine and both countries’ efforts to strengthen resilience in the cyber domain. 

The ministers will then visit the US Congress for meetings with Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Mark E. Green and members of the Congressional Friends of Sweden Caucus. Mr Bohlin and Mr Berggren will also meet with senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties.

At the Hudson Institute, a think tank that focuses on international relations and defence issues, Mr Bohlin will participate in a round-table discussion and give a speech on the reconstruction of civil defence and Sweden’s total defence concept.

Discussions about enhanced cooperation between the Swedish and American coast guards and protection of critical underwater infrastructure are on the agenda when Mr Bohlin meets the head of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Linda L. Fagan. As regards cybersecurity, Mr Bohlin will visit key US authorities such as the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr Bohlin will also be present at the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and its US counterpart, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This agreement is an important milestone in deepening the countries’ partnership and operational cooperation on civil preparedness and rescue services. 

Finally, Mr Bohlin will take part in a seminar organised by the Swedish Embassy in connection with a meeting arranged by the US for NATO’s Senior National Officials who are responsible for national resilience and whose main focus is NATO’s civil preparedness. Mr Bohlin will give an introductory speech to representatives from the Allied countries and present Sweden’s total defence concept and its potential to strengthen the Alliance’s joint resilience.