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.
Responsible for foreign and security policy
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News about foreign and security policy
Government communication on the feminist foreign policy
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Riksdag Five years of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy show that it generates results. This is outlined in the Government communication on the policy which was presented by the Government to the Riksdag in September 2019. The feminist foreign policy has, among other things, contributed to support for female members of parliament and entrepreneurs, fewer cases of maternal mortality and unplanned pregnancies, and more resources for gender equality and women’s and girl’s rights. Sweden has also contributed toward mobilising and financing for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
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.
Government communication on the feminist foreign policy
Five years of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy show that it generates results. This is outlined in the Government communication on the policy which was presented by the Government to the Riksdag in September 2019. The feminist foreign policy has, among other things, contributed to support for female members of parliament and entrepreneurs, fewer cases of maternal mortality and unplanned pregnancies, and more resources for gender equality and women’s and girl’s rights. Sweden has also contributed toward mobilising and financing for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
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
Gender equality is a fundamental aim of Swedish foreign policy. Ensuring that women and girls enjoy fundamental human rights is an obligation within our international commitments and prerequisite to achieving Sweden’s broader foreign policy goals – peace, security and sustainable development.
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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Statement from International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 marking one year since the tragic downing of Flight PS752
January 8, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
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Advice against travel to Estonia, Ireland and Latvia extended
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs decided today to extend the advice against non-essential travel to Estonia, Ireland and Latvia until 16 December.
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Statement by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde at the opening session of the 2020 OSCE Mediterranean Conference
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues, First of all, I want to direct myself to all our colleagues and friends in Vienna, after last night’s terrorist attacks. I hope you are all well and safely at home. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We must all stand united against attacks on our open society.
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Sweden and Spain gathered world leaders for a meeting to boost UN cooperation
On Tuesday 10 November, some 10 heads of state or government met for a digital summit hosted by Spain and Sweden. The aim was to bring together a group of countries that together are ready to help strengthen the UN, in light of the UN’s 75th anniversary. The countries also adopted a joint statement on this at the meeting.
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Sweden's strategy for the Arctic region 2020
Sweden’s strategy for the Arctic region presents the Government’s objectives and main priorities relating to the Arctic region, and sets out the political direction of further work on the Arctic in six thematic areas: international collaboration; security and stability; climate and the environment; polar research; sustainable economic development and business sector interests; and securing good living conditions.
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Minister’s Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden
Minister’s Declaration at the occasion of the Conference "2020 Capturing Technology - Rethinking Arms Control“.
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This year marks the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325. Sweden strengthens its support for UN peacebuilding efforts and women’s participation
This month we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Within the global response to the covid-19 pandemic, Sweden has decided to contribute an additional 75 million Swedish kronor to sustaining peace efforts, within which women’s meaningful participation is a key component.
