Inauguration of World Humanitarian Day

The very first World Humanitarian Day will be held on August 19, after the designation of the day by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2008. The day, that will be observed annually, is intended to raise public awareness about humanitarian assistance worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in this regard. The day also aims to honour all humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the cause of their work.

There are three key messages of World Humanitarian Day:

- The humanitarian community’s ability to respond rapidly, effectively and predictably to crises, natural or man made, has improved beyond all recognition in the last 20 years.

- This inaugural World Humanitarian Day is in part dedicated to the memory of all those aid workers who have lost their lives while bringing assistance to others, the majority of them from the communities they are trying to help.

- While much has been achieved, the challenges faced by many millions of people around the world are still formidable, and the need for principled and effective humanitarian action is greater than ever.

More News

Nov 20 2009 EU welcomes unanimous adoption of Rights of the child resolution
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Union warmly welcomes the unanimous adoption of the resolution on the Rights of the child by the third committee of the UN General Assembly.
Nov 20 2009 EU proposal for a more balanced way to share budgetary responsibilities of the UN
The European Union today presented a proposal for a more balanced way to share budgetary responsibilities of the UN. The EU continues to stress the need for Member States’ contributions to the UN regular budget to better reflect changing economic weight in the global economy. While bringing the overall strength of an economy in as a factor of the methodology, the EU proposal would also provide further relief to the most vulnerable countries.
Nov 18 2009 Somalia piracy up for debate in the Security Council
The Security Council arranged a debate on November 18 to discuss the acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. The Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén, delivered a statement in the debate on behalf of the European Union. In the statement he pointed out that all acts of piracy are illegal and can never be tolerated.
Nov 13 2009 Security Council debate on counter terrorism
The European Union delivered a statement at the UN Security Council's Open Debate on counter terrorism on Friday 13 November.
Nov 3 2009 EU Ambassadors met with China
On Tuesday November 3, the 27 EU member states met with China for a working lunch at ambassadorial level. On top of the agenda was the question of climate change and the preparations for the Summit meeting in Copenhagen in December.
Oct 27 2009 Security Council debate on peace and security in Africa
The UN support for the African Union (AU) peacekeeping operations was the topic for the UN Security Council debate on Monday, October 26. The Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Mr Anders Lidén, delivered a statement on behalf of the European Union in which he underlined that the European Union will continue its commitment to develop the partnership with both the UN and the AU respectively.
Oct 23 2009 Luncheon with EU Ambassadors and the Secretary-General
On Friday 23 October the EU Presidency invited the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. BAN Ki-Moon, and his closest co-workers in the UN Secretariat to a luncheon with the ambassadors of all the 27 EU member states. The luncheon was chaired by the Swedish Ambassador H.E. Mr. Anders Lidén.
Oct 23 2009 Security Council debate on the situation in Timor-Leste
The European Union delivered a statement in the UN Security Council's meeting on the situation in Timor-Leste on 23 October. It provided an opportunity to take stock of the groundbreaking state-building effort which has taken place in Timor-Leste since its referendum on independence ten years ago.
Oct 19 2009 Child participation in practice at event co-organised by Sweden in parallel with UN General Assembly
The concept of child participation was given concrete significance at an event organized by the Swedish mission to the UN on October 15 together with the missions of Uruguay, the Czech Republic and Belize in collaboration with UNICEF, Plan International, Save the Children and War Child Holland.
Oct 15 2009 Security Council debate on the Middle East and the Palestinian question
The UN Security Council debate on Wednesday concentrated on the Middle East and the Palestinian question. On behalf of the European Union, the Swedish Ambassador Anders Lidén delivered a statement on the peace process in the Middle East.
Oct 15 2009 General debate on children's rights
The Swedish EU Presidency participated on October 14 in the general debate on children’s rights in the third committee of the UN General Assembly, holding a dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Children in Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy and the newly appointed SRSG on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais.
Oct 15 2009 International dimensions on rule of law
The rule of law at international level - under this heading the sixth Committee of the General Assembly debated, 14-15 October, the Secretary-General's first annual report on the activities of the rule of law unit, established in his office in 2007. While the debates of previous years have mainly dealt with the UN's support to the efforts of Member States in promoting the rule of law, this was the first occasion since the World Summit in 2005 that the international dimension of the rule of law was discussed.
Oct 13 2009 Focus on population and development on commemoration of the ICPD
Much has happened in the 15 years since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, 1994. Yesterday, in the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the ICPD in the United Nations General Assembly, the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation, Mr Joakim Stymne spoke on behalf of the EU on the progress throughout the years and the challenges of the future.
Oct 7 2009 Swedish Minister for Social Security spoke of social development
During a statement on behalf of the European Union, the Swedish Minister for Social Security, Ms. Cristina Husmark Pehrsson, spoke of social development. She especially mentioned the importance of social integration in times of economic downturn and its impact on the social development. The statement was delivered in the third committee of the General Assembly at the United Nations.
Oct 7 2009 Women, peace and security in focus in the Security Council
The Swedish Ambassador, Mr Anders Lidén, welcomed the Security Council's debate on "Women and peace and security" and the resolution 1889 in a statement on behalf of the European Union on Monday. He also spoke of the progress in the area of "Women and peace and security" during the last decade and how the resolutions related to this subject have brought a much needed attention to "women's empowerment".
Oct 6 2009 EU underlined need for change of EU scale of assessments
"A fair and more balanced way to share the budgetary responsibilities of the United Nations is essential to the effective functioning of the Organisation", said Ambassador Anders Lidén, at the introduction of the scale of assessments for the regular budget in the UN Fifth Committee on October 5. The EU firmly believes the regular scale for the period 2010-2012 should better reflect Member States' actual capacity to pay, taking into acount changing weight in the global economy.
Oct 2 2009 Interactive Panel Discussion on Child Participation on October 15
An Interactive Panel Discussion on Child Participation is being organised in New York on October 15 by the Mission of Sweden together with Belize, the Czech Republic and Uruguay, and in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Plan International, Save the Children and War Child Holland.
Sep 29 2009 UN General Assembly Week over but the questions live on
“It's not quite over yet,” says Ambassador Anders Lidén as the UN General Asssembly Week comes to an end in New York, referring to the fact that more work awaits the General Assembly during the remaining part of the Swedish Presidency.
Sep 25 2009 Side-event on “Debating the death penalty – experiences from different regions”
The Swedish Presidency of the European Union in cooperation with Chile, the Republic of the Philippines, Rwanda and Amnesty International today hosted an inter-regional panel discussion during the United Nations General Assembly on "Debating the death penalty - experiences from different regions".
Sep 25 2009 EU calls for continued and increased support for UNRWA
“The EU’s long political and economic commitment to UNRWA is in line with the EU’s other involvement in other parts of the world,” said Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson when she participated in the celebrations for sixty years of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
Sep 24 2009 Swedish Prime Minister spoke of cooperation and partnership
At the opening of the General Assembly Wednesday, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt spoke on behalf of the European Union. To the world leaders from all corners of the world present in the General Assembly, he brought a message of cooperation and partnership.
Sep 22 2009 Swedish statement on the UN Summit on Climate Change
The Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, spoke on the High Level Summit on Climate Change in the UN's General Assembly today. Other speakers at the summit were, among others, the Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-Moon, the United States' president Barack Obama and the Maldives' president Mohamed Nasheed.
Sep 22 2009 The Swedish EU Presidency attends the opening of the UN General Assembly
On 20-26 September, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren and Minister for Trade Ewa Björling are in New York to attend meetings in connection with the opening of the UN General Assembly, UNGA.
Sep 22 2009 UN General Assembly kicks off
The sixty-fourth regular session of the United Nations General Assembly will begin in New York this week. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will address the assembled Member States of the United Nations on behalf of the European Union. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will also be in New York during the General Assembly week.
Sep 22 2009 “We must pick up the pace in the climate negotiations”
Almost 150 heads of state and government from all over the world are in New York this week to attend the traditional opening of the UN General Assembly - UNGA. President of the European Council Fredrik Reinfeldt is hoping that the USA and China will show strong leadership in the climate issue, which is this week’s major topic of discussion.
Sep 15 2009 EU welcomes the landmark decision by the UN to establish a New Gender Entity
On 14 September, during the last day of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly, a unanimous decision was taken to establish a new and consolidated gender entity of the United Nations. After almost three years of discussions, the UN Member States have reached a consensus decision to move forward with the establishment. The new gender entity will strengthen UN work on protecting women’s rights and promotion of women’s involvement in development.
Sep 10 2009 EU spoke on Haiti in the Security Council
The European Union, through Sweden's Permanent Representative Ambassador Anders Lidén, delivered a statement in the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti on 9 September, where it stressed the need to mobilize efforts to assist the government of Haiti in the current transition phase from a conflict to a post-conflict peacebuilding situation.
Aug 14 2009 Troika Meeting with the United States
The EU Troika, led by Swedish Permanent Representative Anders Lidén, met with United States Permanent Representative to the UN Susan Rice on 11 August.
Aug 10 2009 Statement on the Security Council Resolution 1820
The EU spoke in the Security Council, August 7, on Resolution 1820 that concerns conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN.
Aug 7 2009 EU committed to the fight against discrimination of women
CEDAW is reviewing the status of women and preparing for its 30th anniversary.
Aug 5 2009 EU Statement in the Security Council on Peacekeeping Operations
The European Union spoke in the UN Security Council on the UN Peacekeeping Operations, August 5. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN.
Jul 31 2009 EU Statement in the UN General Assembly on the establishment of the Open-ended Working Group to follow-up the outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis
The European Union spoke in the UN General Assembly on the establishment of the Open-ended Working Group to follow-up the outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis, July 31. The statement was delivered by Mr Harald Fries, Minister, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations.
Jul 27 2009 EU Statement in the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
The European Union spoke in the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, July 27. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN.
Jul 24 2009 EU Statement in the UN Security Council on the situation in Sudan/Darfur
The European Union spoke in the UN Security Council, July 24, on the AU-UN mediation efforts in Darfur (UNAMID). The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN.
Jul 23 2009 EU Statement in the UN General Assembly on the Responsibility to Protect
The European Union spoke on July 23 in the UN General Assembly debate on the Responsibility to Protect. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN.
Jul 23 2009 EU Statement on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in the UN Security Council
The European Union spoke in the UN Security Council's meeting on post-conflict peacebuilding on 22 July. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, on behalf of the European Union.
Jul 23 2009 EU Statement on Financing for Development
The European Union spoke on the matter of 'Follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development' at the opening of the General Segment under the ECOSOC Substantive Session on July 23, 2009. The statement was made by Mr Ambassador Hans Dahlgren, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva.
Jul 15 2009 Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt presents EU Presidency work programme at the EU Parliament
"Together we can take on the challenge". Speech by Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden, at the presentation of the Swedish European Union Presidency's work programme to the European Parliament, July 15 in Strasbourg.
Jul 9 2009 EU Statement on Somalia in the UN Security Council
The European Union spoke in the UN Security Council's meeting on Somalia on 9 July. The statement was delivered by Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, on behalf of the European Union.
Jul 2 2009 Welcome Message from Ambassador Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations
As the Permanent Representative of Sweden and representing the European Union in the United Nations during the Swedish EU Presidency, I warmly welcome you to our website.
Jul 1 2009 The Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN in Swedish Newspaper
Days before Sweden took over the presidency of the European Union Ambassador Anders Lidén, the Permanent Representive of Sweden to the UN, was interviewed in the Swedish newspaper SvD, by journalist Karin Henriksson.
Jun 23 2009 The municipality of Piteå is the winner of the United Nations Public Service Award
The municipality of Piteå won the UN Award in the category for improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the public service.
Jun 22 2009 Violence against children theme of Forum in Stockholm on Human Rights
During two days this summer, 6-7 July, a number of NGOs and experts from around the world will meet in Stockholm, together with representatives of the EU and the UN, to discuss violence against children from a human rights perspective. This NGO Forum will be held during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, together with the European Commission.
Jun 19 2009 Fredrik Reinfeldt participating in meeting of European Council on 18-19 June
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for EU affairs Cecilia Malmström are in Brussels June 18-19, to participate in the meeting of the European Council.
Jun 11 2009 Cecilia Malmström welcomes EU Baltic Sea Strategy
The European Commission presented a proposal for a targeted strategy for the Baltic region. Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström welcomes the Commission's Baltic Sea Strategy.
May 29 2009 Climate and the Baltic Sea in focus for work on the environment during Sweden's EU presidency
The climate, the Baltic Sea, biological diversity and an eco-efficient economy will be the central environmental issues during the Swedish Presidency, stated Andreas Carlgren, Minister for the Environment, today.
May 20 2009 Sweden to contribute SEK 43 million in humanitarian support to those affected in Sri Lanka
Sweden is to contribute additional humanitarian assistance to support the civilian population affected in Sri Lanka.
May 19 2009 Sweden to contribute SEK 24 million to internal refugee crisis in Pakistan
In light of the urgent and massive need for assistance to internal refugees in Pakistan, Sweden has decided to offer additional humanitarian support.
May 19 2009 New approach for Swedish aid
The objective of Swedish aid - to create conditions that will enable poor people to improve their lives - remains in place. Development assistance still focuses on combating poverty.
May 14 2009 High-Level Panel Discussion for Early Recovery and Peacebuilding
A High-Level Panel discussion on “Financing for Early Recovery and Peacebuilding” was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 14, 2009, seeked to enhance the quality of the international response to conflict by providing a statement on steps to improve financing for post conflict situations.
May 14 2009 Commission on Climate Change and Development announced final report to UN Secretary-General
The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, H.E. Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, presented the final report of the international Commission on Climate Change and Development together with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 14 2009.
Apr 30 2009 EU to open free trade negotiations with Canada
The EU Member States took a decision at the Council meeting in Brussels to give the European Commission a mandate to open negotiations on a free trade agreement with Canada.
Apr 23 2009 Government adopts new strategy for development cooperation with Democratic Republic of Congo
Important starting points for this development cooperation are the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, increased gender equality, the equal rights of women and the importance of women's influence in politics, security and development.
Apr 2 2009 The climate and the Baltic Sea in focus when Andreas Carlgren visited Paris and the Hague
The Governments of France and the Netherlands are backing Sweden's priorities in the environmental area during the upcoming Presidency of the EU. This is what Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren was told when he visited Paris and the Hague on March 30-31.
Mar 30 2009 Swedish development assistance - highest in the world
The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) today published preliminary statistics for development assistance from all member countries. Sweden's aid volume as a proportion of gross national income (GNI) preliminarily amounted to 0.98 per cent in 2008, which is the highest in the world.
Mar 5 2009 Swedish Ambassador in New York to talk about Turkey, Islam and the EU
Sweden’s former Ambassador to Turkey, Ann Dismorr, visited New York in February to give lectures on Turkey, Islam, the EU and talk about her new book Turkey Decoded.
Feb 1 2009 Swedish Travelers Need Advance Authorization Before Traveling to USA
Effective January 12, 2009, all Swedish travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. The electronic application must be submitted online well in advance of the trip using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

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