Ann Linde

On 24 May, Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde presented the Government's 2017 Cultural and Creative Industries Export Prize. The newly established prize was awarded to the Swedish fashion company Acne Studios.

More than 700 gender equality advocates from more than 100 countries gathered at the Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality to exchange experiences and mobilise efforts for global gender equality. The participants included key figures from civil society organisations, business, academia and politics. They all have the same goal: a gender-equal world.

Today sees the opening of the Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality – a global conference with 600 participants from over 100 countries. The Forum will bring together activists, academics, politicians and entrepreneurs who put their energies into making the world more gender-equal.

The King and Queen will visit Japan on 22–25 April 2018 on the invitation of the Japanese Government. The Swedish Government will be represented by Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy Ibrahim Baylan and Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde. Business issues will be the focus of the visit, during which Sweden and Japan will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations.

Award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and human rights counsellor Colin Gonsalves are some of the 500 gender equality actors who will participate in the Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality on 15–17 April. The global forum is about strengthening women’s and girls’ rights, representation and access to resources.

Even though the economic situation in the EU has improved, we see high long-term unemployment, growing gaps and unacceptably high youth unemployment in many parts of Europe. Well managed public finances at both national and EU level lays the foundation for greater confidence in the policy being pursued and stable economic growth shared by everyone.

As part of the EU’s global strategy for foreign and security policy its common policy is being developed to contribute to security both in and outside the EU. The European security order is still being challenged by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Important progress has been made to lay the foundation for inclusive and ambitiously structured defence cooperation (PESCO), and work is continuing to highlight this broad view of security.

Leaders from all over the world will gather in Stockholm to intensify international efforts for gender equality. The Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality brings together close to 500 key representatives from civil society organisations, governments, business, and academia. The aim is to find solutions, take new initiatives, and strengthen co-operation in the international fight for gender equality.

A necessary and valuable debate on the future has started in the EU. Although much works well at EU level, there is reason for soul-searching. The more people who are involved in the discussions on the future of Europe, the better the prospects of strengthening our citizens’ trust in the European project.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12 December 2017. Check against delivery.