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
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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Nordic Foreign and Security Policy 2020
On 2 December 2019, the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Nordic Foreign Ministers, tasked me to write a report on Nordic Foreign and Security Policy in the same spirit as the one Thorvald Stoltenberg delivered in February 2009. My work took into account the establishment of Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) in November 2009. The mandate stipulated three tasks: • addressing global climate change • addressing hybrid threats and cyber issues • strengthening and reforming multilateralism and the rules-based international order. … - Björn Bjarnason
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Nordic Foreign Ministers receive report on Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy
On 30 October 2019, the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden decided to task Mr. Björn Bjarnason of Iceland to prepare an independent report with non-binding proposals on how to further develop Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy. This tasking marked ten years since Mr Thorvald Stoltenberg of Norway drafted a similar report presenting a range of recommendations of which a large share have already been implemented.
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Yemen needs international help to escape tragedy
The writer is foreign minister of Sweden. Foreign minister Heiko Maas of Germany and foreign secretary Dominic Raab of the UK co-wrote this article, which was published in Financial Times on 1 July 2020.
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Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, Spain and Germany discussed economic gender equality and engagement in a global coalition
On 2 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde invited minister colleagues and government representatives from South Africa, Mexico, Spain and Germany to discuss economic gender equality. These countries, together with representatives of civil society, international organisations and private funds, will lead a global coalition on economic gender equality to accelerate results for global gender equality. Here are the key messages from the meeting:
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Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist’s speech at UK NATO Heads of Mission’s Forum
Stockholm 15 June 2020. Check against delivery.
· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presents Royal Order of the Polar Star to woman peacebuilder in Cyprus
To mark ten years of successful peacebuilding work in Cyprus, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde today held a virtual dialogue and meeting with Cyprus’s religious leaders.
· Press release from Ann Linde
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Sweden’s response in the global fight against the COVID-19 virus
The COVID-19 outbreak presents an unprecedented global crisis. The worldwide spread of the virus highlights the importance of collaboration and solidarity in tackling global challenges. Sweden continues to stand up for international principles and commitments and to support multilateral organisations working to fight the pandemic and its impacts. With a well-considered response, the international community can together lay the foundations for a more sustainable, equitable and gender-equal world that will be better equipped to manage future crises.
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Government to take action against foreign direct investments in sensitive areas
At the government meeting on 4 June, the Government decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation with the aim of strengthening efforts against foreign direct investments that threaten Swedish security and public order. At the same time, the Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) have been given assignments to further develop these efforts.
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Government responds to UN human rights recommendations
The human rights situation in Sweden was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council at the end of January as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Sweden received 300 recommendations from other UN Member States. The Government has now communicated its position on the recommendations in a report to be submitted to the UN.
