Ann Linde

Opinion piece by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg. Published in Svenska Dagbladet on 20 April 2020.

22 April 2020

Amman/Stockholm 14 April 2020

How is the fight against COVID-19 affecting global efforts to defend human rights and promote democracy? As part of the Government’s Drive for Democracy, Sweden has launched a series of digital meetings to contribute to the global conversation on these issues.

Joint statement

On 30 January 2020, the Government adopted a new five-year strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia. The strategy will contribute to strengthened conditions for democratic development in Russia, and greater freedom of expression and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Activities within the framework of the strategy will also contribute to improving the environment and enhancing climate action in the Baltic Sea region. A key objective is broader relations between Sweden and Russia, focusing in particular on people-to-people cooperation.

Paris, 11 March 2020

In connection with International Women’s Day on 8 March, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is conducting a worldwide campaign for the third year in a row to make the internet more equal. In parallel, edit-a-thons aimed at increasing the number of women on Wikipedia will be held in almost 30 countries. In Sweden, a WikiGap edit-a-thon will be held at the University of Gothenburg.

The Government has today decided to appoint Petra Lärke as head of the Task Force that is to lead and plan Sweden’s Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2021. She will take up her post on 2 March 2020.

Geneva, 24 February 2020 Check against delivery.