Romina Pourmokhtari

From 30 November to 12 December, the world is gathering in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). The Swedish Government is being be represented there by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch, Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

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.

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans.

The Government works to ensure Sweden’s ambitious and catalytic role in global climate action. Now, the Government is strengthening the conditions for Sweden’s programme for international climate initiatives, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Yesterday, the UN unanimously adopted a global ocean agreement. The agreement establishes global rules to limit environmental impacts on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the world’s ocean volume and two-thirds of its surface area.

Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari hosted an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in Stockholm on 18–19 April, which was also attended by business leaders from across the EU. The focus of the meeting was the green transition and the role of business in promoting biodiversity, circularity and competitiveness.

On 18–19 April, Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari will chair the informal meeting of EU environment ministers at Arlanda. Business leaders will also attend to discuss how decision-makers and businesses can contribute to a green transition in the EU and globally.

EU environment ministers are meeting in Brussels on 16 March for the first Environment Council of the year. Among the matters they are expected to agree on is a general approach on a proposal to revise the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which contains pollution prevention and control measures. This is a priority issue for the Swedish Presidency.

Today, UN negotiations on an agreement to protect marine biodiversity succeeded after 15 years. The agreement will establish rules to limit environmental impacts and marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has led the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its Member States together with the European Commission.

On 20 February, the final phase of negotiations began in a UN Intergovernmental Conference on an agreement that concerns 95 per cent of the oceans’ volume. The meeting could result in a historic agreement to protect marine biodiversity. Sweden has a key role at the meeting as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, representing – together with the European Commission – the EU and its Member States.

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

Late on Friday evening, 2 December, the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution concluded in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The talks that began at the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh just over two weeks ago have now ended. One of the most crucial issues for the EU, through which Sweden is negotiating, was establishing a work programme for emissions reduction.

Today marked the start of environment ministers’ week at the UN COP27 Climate Change Conference, and Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari is on site to take part in the negotiations.