Press Releases

On this page you will find Press Releases related to the UN from the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN as well as from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other Ministries in Stockholm.

November 13, 2008
Sweden´s strengthens its presence in Afghanistan
The Government wants to strengthen Swedish military presence through transport aircraft, ambulance helicopters and more training and coordination groups known as OMLT teams.
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November 11, 2008
Sweden prepared to provide SEK 40 million in aid to eastern Congo
The humanitarian situation has further deteriorated in eastern Congo. Sweden is prepared to quickly provide humanitarian aid amounting to some SEK 40 million.
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October 2, 2008
An EU civilian observer mission was initiated in Georgia this morning.
On Tuesday 1st October the EU observer mission in Georgia began its field operations, in line with the EU's commitment to send a civilian observer mission by 1 October at the latest.
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September 26, 2008
Council of Europe Ministers for Foreign Affairs discuss the conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation
On 24 September 2008, Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Council of Europe member states and the Secretary General met in New York
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September 25, 2008
Carl Bildt and Jonas Gahr Støre discuss freedom of expression
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and his Norwegian colleague Jonas Gahr Støre are hosting a discussion today on freedom of expression at the International Peace Institute in New York.
>Read the Press Release 

september 24, 2008
Ewa Björling comments on UN report on direct investments
On Wednesday, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) presented its annual report on direct investments in the world.
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September 22, 2008
Gunilla Carlsson to be awarded an MDG 3 Champion Torch for her work for the UN Millennium Development Goals
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is being awarded an MDG 3 Champion Torch for her work to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, which is one of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
>Read the Press Release 

September 19, 2008
Carl Bildt to visit the United States
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt is going to New York on 21-27 September and will attend the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
>Read the Press Release

September 18, 2008 
Sweden to send civilian observers and logistics support to Georgia
The Government decided today that Sweden will contribute personnel and equipment to the EU civilian observer mission in Georgia.
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September 15, 2008
The OSCE and the Council of Europe: need for assessment of human rights situation in Georgia
Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb of Finland and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden met today in Brussels as chairs of the OSCE and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe respectively, together with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, and the Director of the Office of the Secretary General of the OSCE, Paul Fritch.
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September 12, 2008
New strategy for cooperation with Mozambique
Today, the Government adopted a new strategy for development cooperation with Mozambique for the period 2008-2012. The appropriation for Mozambique will amount to SEK 750 million per year.
>Read the Press Release

September 10, 2008
The Government signs UNIFEM campaign
Today, UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi is in Stockholm to meet Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni and others. 
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August 25, 2008
Sweden to send military observers and logistics support to Georgia
At an extra cabinet meeting today, the Government decided to make equipment available to the OSCE mission in Georgia via the Swedish Rescue Services Agency.
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August 21, 2008
Political prisoners in Belarus freed
The three last remaining political prisoners in Belarus have been freed. Former presidential candidate Alexander Kozulin was pardoned on Saturday by President Alexander Lukashenko and on Wednesday Sergei Parsyukevich and Andrei Kim were released from prison.
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August 15, 2008
Swedish election observers to Belarus
Yesterday the Government decided to send 18 election observers and two statisticians to Belarus prior to the parliamentary election on 28 September.
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August 11, 2008
Sweden demands cease fire and withdrawal of Russian troops.
Russia's Chargé d'Affaires in Sweden, Michail Skupov, was summoned today to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs where he was notified of Sweden's serious view of Russia's conduct in Georgia.
> Read the Press Release

August 08, 2008
International seminar on Chad
On Thursday and Friday this week, Sweden has hosted an international seminar on Chad at Krusenbergs Herrgård in Uppland.
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July 30, 2008
WTO parties must take responsibility for continued negotiations
"After the collapse of the WTO talks yesterday, the parties to the talks must take their responsibility and think about how the Doha Round can be moved forward.
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July 29, 2008
Unique opportunity missed in Doha Round
"It appears that the WTO negotiations have collapsed. The Government regrets the fact that the WTO member states have not managed to reach an agreement," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
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July 24, 2008
Sweden increases its support to the Palestinian National Authority
Today the Government decided to earmark SEK 50 million for direct support to the Palestinian National Authority.
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July 24, 2008
Minister for International Development Cooperation wants continued focus on Burma
During the international donors conference in Burma in May 2008, it was decided that the UN and ASEAN - in consultation with the government in Burma - would carry out an extensive needs analysis for the areas affected by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.
> Read the Press Release

July 17, 2008
Sweden plays leading role in UN peacebuilding work in Burundi
Today Sweden will assume the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission's work in Burundi. The chairmanship means that Sweden will strengthen its commitment to sustainable peace and development in Africa.
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June 26, 2008
New Swedish strategy for development assistance to Sudan
The Government today adopted Sweden's new strategy for development cooperation with Sudan for the period 2008-2011.
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June 18, 2008
Andreas Carlgren visiting USA
Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren is visiting Washington DC, USA on Monday and Tuesday 23-24 June.
> Rread the Press Release

June 17, 2008
Sweden contributing 3 million to peace efforts in Somalia
Sweden is contributing SEK 3 million to support the continuing peace efforts in Somalia under UN leadership. 
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June 10, 2008
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to be discussed in Stockholm
On Wednesday 11 June, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Tibor Tóth, will come to Stockholm.
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June 4, 2008
Meeting in Stockholm on how to relieve the pressure on the European Court of Human Rights
On 9-10 June 2008 there will be an international expert meeting in Stockholm on the European Court of Human Rights.
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May 27, 2008
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's participation in the international conference on Iraq
On Thursday 29 May Sweden will be the host country for the first Iraq Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm (the ICI Conference).
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May 15, 2008
Swedish operation in Chad to be extended
The Government will today submit a proposal to the Riksdag to extend the Swedish contribution to the EU military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic.
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May 6, 2008
Sweden prepared to increase development assistance to Sudan
>
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April 16, 2008
Sweden gives extra support to UN to counter effects of rising food prices
The Government is to make an extra contribution of SEK 70 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to help counter the immediate effects of escalating food prices.
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March 11, 2008
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt to visit Kosovo
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will travel today to Pristina, where he will be the first foreign minister to visit the Republic of Kosovo since the country declared its independence.
> Read the Press Release

March 6, 2008
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt to visit Kosovo and Macedonia
Tomorrow, 7 March, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will travel to Macedonia. On Saturday 8 March, Mr Bildt will continue on to Pristina, where he will be the first foreign minister to visit the Republic of Kosovo since the country declared its independence.
> Read the Press Release

February 22, 2008
Swedish Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Ms Nyamko Sabuni to make a speech in the UN
Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Ms Nyamko Sabuni will take part in the meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW52) in New York from 25 to 27 February. She will make a speech at the high level debate on Monday 25 February.
> Read the Press Release

January 11, 2008
Swedish accession to the UN Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and their Property
Today the Inquiry on State Immunity in Swedish Law delivered its report "Immunity of States and their Property" (Swedish Government Official Reports SOU 2008:2) to Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt. The report proposes that Sweden ratify the UN Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and their Property and that the Convention be incorporated into Swedish law.
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January 11, 2008
UN High Commissioner Louise Arbour to visit Stockholm
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, will visit Stockholm on 14-15 January. Ms Arbour will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Integration and Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni.
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January 9, 2008
Norway and Sweden withdraw offer to UN on forces to Darfur
The Norwegian-Swedish offer to provide a joint engineering unit to the UN and African Union's joint peace operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has been withdrawn. The reason for this is Sudan's opposition to the force.
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December 19, 2007
Sweden to invest a further SEK 8 billion in Africa
Sweden has contributed to a record-breaking topping up of the World Bank fund for the poorest countries, the International Development Association (IDA) to the tune of USD 25 billion. Last week, Sweden and other donor countries decided to give a similar boost to the African Development Fund's resources by donating over USD 8.5 billion.
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December 18, 2007
Swedish greenhouse gas emissions are declining
Swedish emissions fell by 1.7 per cent between 2005 and 2006. The emissions have decreased by nearly nine per cent from 1990 levels. This means that Sweden has reduced its emissions by 12.7 per cent more than agreed under the Kyoto Protocol. This is shown by data on Swedish greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2006 that the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency delivered to the Government today.
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December 17, 2007
Sweden increases aid to the Palestinian people
"The Government is increasing aid to the Palestinians by an additional SEK 90 million. Sweden is currently one of the single largest donors to the Palestinian people and our ambition is to continue as such in the future as well. The increase means that Sweden's total aid will amount to some SEK 670 million in 2007 and close to SEK 700 million in 2008.
> Read the Press Release

December 13, 2007
Gunilla Carlsson appoints members of Government Commission for Measures against Climate Change
The Government decided on 11 October to appoint an international commission for climate-proof development. The members of the Commission were announced today.
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November 29, 2007
Sweden supports UN office in Iraq. The Government decided today to contribute SEK 4 million to the protection force for UN personnel in Iraq. The UN office in Iraq was recently given a greater role to play following a decision by the UN Security Council.
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November 26, 2007
New SIPRI/SPITS report: United Nations Arms Embargoes
United Nations Arms Embargoes: Their Impact on Arms Flows and Target Behaviour, A Report by SIPRI and the Uppsala University Special Program on the Implementation of Targeted Sanctions with financial support of the Swedish government
> Read the Report 

November 14, 2007
Agriculture plays a key role in eradicating poverty and hunger"In order to reduce poverty in the world there needs to be major investment in agriculture in many developing countries.
> Read the Press Release

November 5, 2007
The Government supports the fight against trade in conflict diamonds
The Government is contributing SEK 3 million to the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI).
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October 24, 2007
New Sida head a top international recruitment
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson presented Sida's new Director-General Anders Nordström as "a top international recruitment" at a press conference at Rosenbad today.
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October 24, 2007
United Nations Day
Today we are celebrating United Nations Day. Sixty-two years ago the UN Charter was ratified by the UN member states. It still defines the framework for relations between states.
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October 18, 2007
Swedish contribution to UN and EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic
The Government decided today to present a Government Bill on a Swedish military contribution to the EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic. The EU will conduct the operation under a UN mandate.
> Read the Press Release

October 18, 2007
Anders Nordström new Director-General and head of Sida
The Government today appointed Anders Nordström as the new Director-General and head of Sida.
>Read the Press Release

October 11, 2007
Gunilla Carlsson to lead new Commission for Climate Change and Development
The Government today appointed Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to lead the Commission for Climate Change and Development. The Commission is to put greater focus on the links existing between climate change and development in poor countries.
> Read Press Release

September 21, 2007
Carl Bildt to visit the USA

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt is to travel to the USA on 22-28 September. His visit will begin in Washington and continue on to New York and the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
> Read the Press Release

September 13, 2007
Swedish units and capabilities to be listed in UN forces catalogue
The Government decided today to submit a number of military units for listing in the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System (UNSAS) and in the NATO/PfP forces catalogue.
> Read the Press Release

September 12, 2007
Four Nations Initiative presents final report in New York
On 13-18 September, the Four Nations Initiative on Governance and Management of the UN (4NI) will present its final report in New York before the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly and all Member States.
> Read the Press Release

July 6, 2007
Swedish water initiative at UN summit
The UN Summit on corporate social responsibility - the Global Compact Leaders Summit - comes to an end in Geneva today.
>Read the Press Release

June 13, 2007
Swedish support for environmental work after armed conflicts
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to grant SEK 30 million to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The money is to be used to finance environmental work in societies affected by armed conflict.
> Read the Press Release

April 4, 2007
Gunilla Carlsson to visit Sudan
Gunilla Carlsson is to visit Sudan between 9 and 12 April.
> Read the Press Release

March 8, 2007
Continued Swedish participation in UN mission in Lebanon
The Government is presenting a Bill to the Riksdag today proposing continued Swedish participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
> Read the Press Release


March 8, 2007
Swedish UN observers to Nepal
The Government today decided to send up to nine observers to the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).
> Read the Press Release

March 1, 2007
UN procurement - an opportunity for Swedish companies
Minister for Foreign Trade Sten Tolgfors met leading UN officials for discussions on procurement and other matters in New York on Tuesday.
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February 23, 2007
Sten Tolgfors to the USA - will meet Susan Schwab and George Soros
On Sunday, 25 February Minister for Foreign Trade Sten Tolgfors is to travel to the USA for visits to New York and Washington DC. For the first time in five years, a Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade will meet his US counterpart.
> Read the Press Release

February 22, 2007
Gunilla Carlsson to participate in Berlin conference on women's rights
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Berlin on 22 February to participate in a high-level on "Women's Economic Empowerment as smart Economis - A Dialogue on Policy Options".
> Read the Press Release

February 19, 2007
Decision on Swedish support to Somalia
The Government decided today on a new strategy document - an "approach" - for Swedish aid-financed support to the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia and to the country's extensive humanitarian needs.
> Read the Press Release

February 7, 2007
Sweden signs new UN Convention
On Tuesday Sweden signed the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance at a ceremony in Paris.
> Read the Press Release

January 5, 2007
Andreas Carlgren to discuss the climate issue in USA and Canada
Sweden's Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will travel to Washington, D.C. and California next week to discuss international climate agreements and climate action. The visit is also intended to help create conditions for Swedish environmental technology exports and make use of opportunities for Swedish business to win new markets. The trip to North America will conclude in Canada.
> Read the Press Release

December 15, 2006
Swedish-Norwegian collaboration on the role of women in development cooperation
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim decided today that the two countries will initiate more extensive cooperation on issues related to the role of women in development cooperation.
> Read the Press Release

December 14, 2006
Swedish election monitors to Albania
The Government decided today to send two election monitors to Albania ahead of the local elections in January. The Government will also provide an additional 10 election observers, who will follow the election proceedings on election day, 21 January.
> Read the Press Release

December 12, 2006
UN meeting on Darfur
Today, on 12 December, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will be holding a special meeting on Darfur. The meeting will discuss the violations of human rights that are reported almost every day from Darfur. The Council meeting has been convened at the request of sixty-five countries. Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, has been one of the strongest drivers.
> Read the Press Release

November 16, 2006
Marie Jacobsson elected as member of the UN International Law Commission
Marie Jacobsson, LL.D., Principal Legal Adviser on International Law at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, was today elected by the UN General Assembly to serve as a member of the UN International Law Commission. She will become the first Swedish member since 1961, and the third woman ever to serve in this capacity.
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November 8,2006
UN development report focuses on water issues
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will take part when the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launches this year's Human Development Report.
> Read the Press Release

November 2, 2006
Swedish election observers to Aceh
The Government decided today to send three election observers to Aceh province in Indonesia to monitor the local elections on 11 December. The observers will be part of the European Commission's Election Observation Mission.
> Read the Press Release

October 13, 2006
Prime Minister welcomes Ban Ki-Moon as next UN Secretary-General
"I am truly delighted at the news that the General Assembly has agreed to appoint Ban Ki-Moon as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations," said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Friday evening.
> Read the Press Release

September 19, 2006
Sweden releases its second report on the Millennium Development Goals – “Together towards 2015”
On Friday 15 September, the second Swedish report on the Millennium Development Goals was launched in New York by H.E. Ms. Annika Söder, Sweden's State Secretary for International Development Cooperation. Mr. Ad Melkert, Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, participated in the launch and commented on the report and on the Millennium Development Goals.
> Read the Press Release


September 8, 2006
Swedish election observers to Zambia
The Government has decided to send election observers to Zambia ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections that will be taking place on 28 September.
> Read the Press Release

September 7, 2006
Increased Swedish support to Global Environmental Facility
An agreement to top up the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) with more than SEK 22 billion for the period 2006-2010 was reached at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, at the end of August.
> Read the Press Release

September 1, 2006
Jan Eliasson welcomes Security Council Resolution on Darfur
On 31 August, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1706 on the Darfur region in Sudan.
> Read the Press Release

August 31, 2006
Donor conference on the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories
"I am deeply concerned about the way in which the situation in Gaza has deteriorated during the summer.
> Read the Press Release

August 30, 2006
Ahmed Yussuf now finally deleted from all sanctions lists
The European Commission has now also decided to delete Ahmed Yussuf from the EU list of persons suspected of having dealings with Al Qaida, the Taliban or other groups.
> Read the Press Release

August 25, 2006
Ahmed Yussuf deleted from UN sanctions list
Yesterday, the UN Sanctions Committee - at the request of the Swedish Government - deleted Ahmed Yussuf from its list of individuals suspected of being associated with Al Qaida and other organisations. The US Treasury Department has also deleted Yussuf from its sanctions list.
> Read the Press Release