Sweden and the UN

Speech, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, The General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 24

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde are travelling to New York for the opening of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 21 September 2021.

This year’s theme for UN World Environment Day was ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. One Swedish example is the Government’s drive in recent years to restore wetlands. This has a positive impact on biodiversity and the capacity to bind carbon dioxide. Artic wetlands are at severe risk of destruction due to climate change.

On 24 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2021 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

The world’s environment ministers are gathering virtually on 22 and 23 February to discuss green recovery and decide on priorities ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly. Minister for Environment and Climate Per Bolund is participating in the meeting.

Sweden has submitted its long-term climate strategy to the UN. The strategy is part of Sweden’s work under the Paris Agreement and contains ambitious emission targets and measures that will drive climate transition in Sweden in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) – launched by Sweden and India to drive the climate transition in energy-intensive industries – held its Leadership Summit today. LeadIT members agreed on a range of ambitious commitments to contribute to freedom from fossil fuels and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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.

23 June 2020

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.

The Government decided on 12 March to task the Folke Bernadotte Academy with initiating the preparatory work to establish a scholarship aimed at supporting UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security in 2021. The scholarship will be established in memory of Zaida Catalán, who had served abroad for the Folke Bernadotte Academy as a gender expert.

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde is presenting the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Statement, which summarises the Government’s foreign policy priorities for 2020, includes a new announcement on strengthened efforts to combat organised crime. Also notable in the Statement is a stronger focus on security in Europe ahead of Sweden assuming the role of Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2021.

On 12 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2020 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

Ambassador Annika Söder has been appointed by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to form part of a group of eminent persons that will contribute to the ongoing review of the UN peacebuilding architecture.

Geneva, January 27, 2020 Check against delivery

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.

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.

Sweden’s human rights compliance will be reviewed within the framework of the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Monday 27 January in Geneva. Sweden’s delegation at the review before the UN Human Rights Council will for the first time be led by a government minister – Åsa Lindhagen, Minister for Gender Equality with responsibility for anti-discrimination and anti-segregation.

On 1st of January 2020 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Act (2018:1197) entered into force.