Stefan Löfven

Sweden’s economy has thus far weathered high interest rates and energy prices better than expected. Next year, however, Sweden will enter a recession that is expected to last until 2025. This is according to the Ministry of Finance’s latest economic forecast presented today by Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson.

On 21–22 December, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, for talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

The Government has today decided that the Swedish Migration Agency will take measures to strengthen work on residence and work permit with­drawal. The aim is to ensure that the system of regulated immigration is not abused.

Sweden’s commitment to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is part of the effort to achieve equitable and sustainable development around the world. At present, Sweden is actively contributing to preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. It is intended that the new framework will apply following a decision taken at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the CBD in December 2022.

Immediate and long-term support to Ukraine was on the agenda when EU leaders met in Brussels on 15 December. They also discussed the EU’s response to the energy crisis and EU-US relations. On 14 December, the first-ever summit between the leaders of EU and ASEAN member states was held. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson represented Sweden.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has successfully concluded its second and final Plenary of the Swedish Presidency, which took place during four days in Gothenburg. The meetings, attended by experts, political representatives, and representatives of international organizations and civil society, inspired exchanges and developments in the field of Holocaust remembrance, education, and research under the Swedish Presidency’s motto “Together for Impact.”

In an address to the IHRA Plenary with the Heads of Delegations, Minister for Culture, Parisa Liljestrand, said: I am proud to see the IHRA delegates gathering in Sweden once again for the Swedish IHRA Presidency’s second time, to take important decisions for the future of the organisation, to share knowledge and new research, to learn from each other and to deepen their cooperation.

Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari, CBD COP 15, Montréal, Canada, 15 December 2022. Check against delivery.

Sweden supports the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Grain from Ukraine. These initiatives aim to alleviate the global hunger crisis and the risk of famine that have been exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and to support the Ukrainian economy and agricultural sector.

At this year’s talks, Sweden stressed the urgency of the climate transition and the job and growth opportunities that the transition will create. The outcome of the talks was roughly the same as that of last year’s COP26 conference in Glasgow. However, one success was the creation of a new loss and damage fund.

The Swedish Presidency logo represents solidarity and community. The visual identity is inspired by the Swedish light and its variation from January to June.

Security, resilience, prosperity, democratic values and the rule of law are the priorities of the forthcoming Swedish Presidency. This was conveyed by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in a speech in the Riksdag today.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the Government’s priorities and the programme of the upcoming Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Government is increasing its support to Ukraine by SEK 600 million through a new mechanism under the World Bank. It aims to maintain access to energy, heating and health care, and to support agriculture and the education system.

On Wednesday 14 December, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall will hold a press conference to present the programme and priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 January.

Approximately 150 EU meetings will be held in Sweden during the Swedish Presidency in the first half of 2023. Around 35 will be held in locations outside of the Stockholm region, from Kiruna in the north to Malmö in the south.

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Chile, Iceland, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Tobias Billström, held at the Atlantic Council 7 December 2022. Check against delivery.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Washington DC on 6–8 December for a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Discussions will focus on Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the EU, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, China and NATO.

Disinformation is being spread online and on social media about how Swedish social services work to ensure the wellbeing of children. This article aims to give an overview of how the Swedish social services work. The text is in Arabic.