Emergency preparedness

Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 13 January 2025. Check against delivery.

On 6 September, the Regional Civil Protection Forum was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. A joint statement was issued in conjunction with the forum. Sweden was represented by Johan Berggren, State Secretary to Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

On 4 July, the Government adopted Sweden’s first defence and security space strategy − The role of space in a new security environment.

On 17–22 March, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will travel to South Korea and Singapore. The programme includes bilateral meetings focusing on total defence and cybersecurity, and Mr Bohlin will also represent Sweden at the Summit for Democracy in South Korea.

The Government has decided to reintroduce border control at Sweden’s internal borders from 12 November 2023 to 11 May 2024. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is a serious threat to public order and internal security.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

In light of the serious security environment, the Government has proposed a number of investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the Budget Bill for 2024 and the autumn amending budget for 2023.

The Swedish Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level from level 3 (‘elevated’) to level 4 (‘high’) on a 5-level scale. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is working intensively and constantly to take the necessary measures.

The Government has decided to appoint an Inquiry Chair to examine whether Sweden’s security could be considered when examining permit applications and setting conditions for public gatherings under the Public Order Act.

The Government has decided to reintroduce border control at Sweden’s internal borders from 12 May to 11 November 2023. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is a serious threat to public order and internal security. The current decision expires on 11 May.

In the 2023 Spring Amending Budget, the Government proposes that the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority be allocated SEK 25 million for further investigations of the M/S Estonia in 2023. As part of its investigations, the Authority will salvage the vessel’s bow ramp and photograph and film the vehicle deck.

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.

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.

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.

(New version) Sweden has pledged an additional EUR 6.8 million to the response in Syria, where the earthquakes have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. On 12 February, 300 family tents were transported to Türkiye. To date, Sweden has contributed approximately EUR 10.1 million in support for those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing approximately EUR 3 million in emergency assistance to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria via four of its humanitarian partner organisations. The aid will go to meeting basic needs such as winter clothing, water and psychosocial support for children. In total, Sweden is now providing approximately EUR 13.6 million to those affected in the two countries.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Ankara today together with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi for joint talks with Turkish representatives. They will discuss the donor conference in support of the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria, initiated by Sweden together with the European Commission.

In response to the humanitarian situation following the powerful earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria, the Swedish Government has taken a swift decision to provide an additional SEK 30 million in humanitarian support and to contribute experts and equipment. The Government has also authorised the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to offer support via NATO.

On Tuesday 7 February, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will hold a press conference on a new support package to earthquake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

The Government is taking swift and resolute action in response to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria today, through support measures and in its role as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.