Benjamin Dousa receives Executive Director of UNICEF
Published
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has visited Sweden for discussions with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. UNICEF is one of Sweden’s foremost partners in both humanitarian aid and development assistance. The Government recently approved additional extensive support to UNICEF’s humanitarian work.
“Children are particularly severely affected by crises in the world – whether it’s war, natural disasters or widespread poverty. Sweden’s support to UNICEF helps provide protection, vaccinations, psychosocial support and treatment for severe malnutrition for the most vulnerable children. I look forward to highlighting UNICEF’s crucial role in strengthening the rights of girls and boys globally and how ongoing reforms within the UN can make their operations even more effective,” says Mr Dousa.
During her visit on 10–11 November, Ms Russell also met with TRH Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, the founders of Prinsparets Stiftelse, a foundation that works for children’s rights in the areas of dyslexia and online safety. She will also meet with Sida Director-General Jakob Granit and the Riksdag’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
UNICEF and Sweden’s support
UNICEF is one of the largest organisations in the UN system and has development programmes and humanitarian operations in 156 countries and territories. UNICEF’s global Office of Innovation is located in Stockholm, along with the Swedish national committee UNICEF Sverige. UNICEF has a global mandate to advocate for the protection of children’s rights in accordance with the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to help meet their basic needs. American Catherine Russell has been the organisation’s Executive Director since 2022.
Sweden is one of UNICEF’s largest donors. Support from the Government and Sida totals around SEK 2 billion annually. In 2025, the Government has provided SEK 775 million in flexible support in accordance with Sweden’s multiyear funding agreement with UNICEF. In addition to this, in September 2025 the Government approved an additional SEK 300 million in targeted support to UNICEF’s humanitarian activities.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
