Foreign and security policy
Foreign policy is about Sweden’s relations with and policies towards other countries. Preventing risks and threats is an important part of security policy, which in turn is part of foreign policy. Swedish policy is pursued via direct relations with other countries and also through bodies such as the EU and the UN.
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News about foreign and security policy
Sweden to chair the IAEA Board of Governors for 2019–2020
The assignment of Chair is carried out by Sweden’s Permanent Representative to the IAEA, Ambassador Mikaela Kumlin Granit. Photo: Dean Calma / IAEA. For the first time, Sweden now serves as Chair of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.
- This is a great honour and responsibility, and a continuation of Sweden’s long history of political and technical support for the IAEA. The work of the Agency is essential in the promotion of nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear technology and our shared responsibility for peace and security, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde said in her national statement at the IAEA General Conference, which took place in Vienna last week.
Summary of the priorities and achievements of the Swedish Chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council 2017–2019
Government Offices Sweden took over the two-year chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council at the ministerial meeting in Arkhangelsk on 19 October 2017. Since its inception, the Barents cooperation has aimed to promote peace, stability and the development of the Barents region, through cross-border collaboration and people-to-people contacts. The Swedish chairmanship programme, with the title ‘Regional sustainable development for the future’, was formed with a view to advancing cooperation and deepening collaboration in key areas of common interest.
Sweden and the UN
The United Nations is a central arena for Sweden’s action to address global challenges. Through the UN, Sweden contributes to conflict prevention, peace efforts, rebuilding of conflict-affected states, and disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN is also an important channel for Sweden’s humanitarian work and our efforts to fight poverty, promote sustainable development and combat climate change. Other priorities for Sweden in the UN include strengthening international law and promoting human rights and gender equality issues. The three pillars of the UN – peace and security, development and human rights – are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. It is impossible to achieve success in one of these areas without also strengthening the others.
Feminist foreign policy
Equality between women and men is a fundamental aim of Swedish foreign policy. Ensuring that women and girls can enjoy their fundamental human rights is both an obligation within the framework of our international commitments, and a prerequisite for reaching Sweden’s broader foreign policy goals on peace, and security and sustainable development.
Statement of Foreign Policy 2019
On 13 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström presented the 2019 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag.
Sweden in the UN Security Council
After being elected by a wide margin to the United Nations Security Council, Sweden was a non-permanent member of the Council for the 2017–2018 term. As a principled member of the United Nations Security Council, Sweden took its cue from the foundation stones of international law, human rights, gender equality and a humanitarian perspective. The Swedish working method was characterised by listening, creativity, active diplomacy and an ambition to achieve results.
Content about foreign and security policy
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Strategy for Sweden’s cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) 2020–2023
This strategy will underpin Sweden’s cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for 2020–2023. The strategy establishes the priorities and forms of collaboration for Sweden’s membership of, and partnership with, the WFP at global, regional and national level.
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Strategy for Sweden’s cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) 2020–2023
This strategy will underpin Sweden’s cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) during the period 2020–2023. The strategy establishes the priorities and forms of collaboration for Sweden’s partnership with UNRWA at global, regional and national level.
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Prime Minister Stefan Löfven visited Yad Vashem to participate in the World Holocaust Forum
On 22 January, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven visited Jerusalem to participate in the World Holocaust Forum to honour the victims of the Holocaust and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The memorial ceremony took place at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance centre.
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Swedish Prime Minister calls on world to fight for memory of the Holocaust
Opinion Piece by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, published in Yedioth Ahronoth on 21 January 2020.
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International community gathered to affirm commitment to combating Holocaust distortion, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination
On Sunday 19 January, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) held a ministerial meeting in Brussels. Minister for Education Anna Ekström represented Sweden. During the meeting, a Ministerial Declaration was adopted to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration.
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Strategic Export Controls in 2018 – Military Equipment and Dual-Use Items, Comm. 2018/19:114
In this Communication, the Swedish Government provides an account of Sweden’s export control policy with respect to military equipment and dual-use items in 2018. The Communication also contains a report detailing exports of military equipment during the year. In addition, it describes the cooperation in the EU and other international forums on matters relating to strategic export controls on both military equipment and dual-use items.
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International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 – Framework for Cooperation with Iran
Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan and the UK – members of the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 – held an in-person meeting at Canada House in London, UK, today and agreed upon a framework for cooperation with Iran in response to this tragedy to provide closure, accountability, transparency and justice for the families and loved ones of all the victims.
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Stefan Löfven to receive Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas
On Friday 17 January, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will receive Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. The two heads of government will discuss current issues of concern to our countries. These include bilateral issues between Estonia and Sweden as well as topical issues and EU issues, such as Brexit and the Eastern Partnership. Since Estonia is coordinating Nordic-Baltic cooperation this year, these matters will also be taken up.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde to attend ministerial meeting on shooting down of Flight PS752 over Iran
On Thursday 16 January, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will travel to London to attend the International Coordination and Response Group for the families of the victims of Flight PS752. The meeting will bring together foreign ministers from the countries that lost residents in the aircraft crash in Iran on 8 January.
