Ministry for Foreign Affairs

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.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance (AMR). The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2025.

Simplistic and occasionally inaccurate information about migration, integration and crime in Sweden is sometimes disseminated. Here, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs looks at some common claims.

Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden is providing an additional SEK 149 million to the civilian population in Sudan. This support will help meet growing humanitarian needs resulting from the armed conflict that broke out in April this year. Parts of the support will also go towards food security and protection of human rights.

The education sector in Ukraine has been severely affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February 2022, more than 3 000 preschools, schools and other educational establishments have been damaged, and 360 have been completely destroyed. Sweden is now providing SEK 75 million to the UNESCO Emergency Fund. The Fund is, among other things, supporting renovation and reconstruction of damaged and destroyed shelters in preschools and schools.

On Wednesday 15 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström hosted ambassadors from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) countries at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden is providing an additional SEK 60 million in humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable civilian population in Gaza, where the majority of those affected are women and children.

Fighting between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas has now continued without interruption since the horrific attacks by Hamas on 7 October. Hundreds of civilian men, women and children were killed and more than 200 civilians, including children and older people, were taken hostage and are now being held captive in Gaza.

On Thursday 9 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström hosted a dialogue with ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Today, 9 November, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell has attended an international conference in Paris on support to the civilian population in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the conference, which gathered a large number of donors, aid organisations and countries from the region to discuss humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza, where there is still a shortage of essential supplies.

On 6 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström delivered a policy speech on Belarus. The speech was delivered during a visit to Vilnius. Check against delivery.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is visiting Vilnius today, 6 November, to discuss Belarus. He will also deliver a policy speech on Belarus at Vilnius Town Hall.

The Government has presented a new package of humanitarian aid in light of the developments in Gaza. The aid, which amounts to SEK 150 million, aims to meet the most urgent needs and focuses on women and children.

On 26–27 October, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, visited Sweden. The programme included meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and State Secretary Diana Janse.

On 26 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh for meetings with the Saudi Government and to participate in the international Future Investment Initiative innovation conference.

In a telephone call earlier this afternoon, H.M. The King and H.E. President Emmanuel Macron jointly decided to postpone the French State Visit to Sweden.

The funds will support Moldova’s vulnerable households through the winter, and contribute to long-term energy efficiency and expansion of infrastructure in the country.

Armenia has received more than 100 000 refugees as a result of Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Sweden is supporting the humanitarian response and Armenia’s refugee reception through targeted humanitarian support, extensive core support to humanitarian organisations and long-term reform support.

The Swedish plane that took off from Tel Aviv last evening has landed at Arlanda Airport. There were 143 people onboard. The passengers were Swedes with families.

The Government is allocating SEK 15 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support refugee reception in Armenia. This targeted assistance is being provided in light of the developments in Nagorno-Karabakh.