News in the aid budget for 2017

Peacebuilding

Swedish aid to failing and conflict-affected states will increase. Around 1.4 billion people – and an ever larger proportion of the world's extreme poor – are living in conflict-affected and failing states. The purpose of Swedish aid is to tackle the root causes of conflict and vulnerability. The Government is therefore making an investment in peace and undertaking a peace diplomacy initiative to strengthen the synergies between development cooperation, political dialogue and mediation. Sweden's capacity for peace diplomacy is being reinforced in selected low and middle income countries. On the UN Security Council, Sweden will pursue a committed policy for international peace and security. In 2017, the Government plans to present a new strategy that brings together and strengthens the thematic initiatives for peaceful and inclusive societies. Sweden will help failing and conflict-affected countries gain the opportunity to achieve the goals in the 2030 Agenda.

Leading role in humanitarian aid

Humanitarian needs are increasing and the ongoing crises are complex. In 2017, Sweden will continue to take a leading role in humanitarian aid, in terms of both financing and policy development. In 2017, follow-up of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) and implementation of the summit's conclusions will be key. It will be important to prioritise flexible humanitarian financing, confirm the humanitarian principles, promote international humanitarian law and continue to focus on gender and protection issues. Sweden will continue to work to strengthen the link between humanitarian and long-term development cooperation.

Global gender equality

The Government is pursuing a broad feminist foreign and development policy. Women's and girls' equal representation and political participation and influence in all areas of society and at all levels will be actively promoted, as will efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts and build peace after conflicts. Women's and girls' economic empowerment, influence and rights will be supported. Women's and girls' full enjoyment of their sexual and reproductive health and rights will be strengthened. Development cooperation will strengthen the focus on preventing and combating all forms of gender-related and sexual violence.

Actors for democracy

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are prerequisites for poverty reduction and sustainable development. There is a worrying trend in many countries towards less scope for all actors for democracy, such as civil society organisations, cultural actors and free media. The Government intends to further enhance Sweden's efforts in this area in 2017. This includes the conditions for adapted, flexible, innovative, efficient and sustainable forms of support to a civil society in transition. The security of journalists and other actors for change, and the protection of freedom of expression, are key.

Climate and environment

The Paris Agreement lays the foundation for ambitious climate efforts in all countries of the world. In 2017, the Government will focus on supporting developing countries in the implementation of their national commitments under the Paris Agreement, such as support for climate adaptation, emission reduction measures and capacity development. This also includes support for redirecting public and private flows from emission-intensive and polluting activities to renewable energy and environmental and climate sustainability. In 2017, Sweden will take special initiatives to promote green investments. Also in 2017, within the framework of the joint UN initiative with Fiji, Sweden will host a global conference to create a system for follow-up of SDG14 on oceans, seas and marine resources.

The 2030 Agenda

In September 2015, the international community adopted the 2030 Agenda. Together with the Paris Climate Agreement and the final outcome document from the conference on financing for development (the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, AAAA), the 2030 Agenda is a new global and common starting point for work on sustainable development and poverty reduction. Sweden will be a leading country in implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in the contributions of development policy to the Agenda, of which aid is an important component. The Agenda forms the basis of the policy framework of Swedish development cooperation and humanitarian aid that the Government will present this year.

Syria

Sweden's regional strategy for the Syria crisis for the period 2016–2020 aims to achieve a long-term and strategic approach to the Syria crisis and its impact on neighbouring countries. The focus will be on building resilience among both the Syrian population and host communities in Syria's neighbouring countries in the form of increased opportunities to earn a living and strengthened capacity to provide basic public services.