2013

Press release 13 September 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Conference on the humanitarian situation in Syria On 16 September, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will host a conference between donors and UN representatives to discuss coordination of the humanitarian operation in Syria and its neighbouring countries.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the main organiser and initiator of the conference, while Sweden will act as host. The conference aims to offer donors and other UN bodies a forum for sharing information and discussing how to manage the challenges of supplying humanitarian assistance to the Syrian crisis.

"This conference is an excellent opportunity for donors and the UN to discuss how we can best help the seven million Syrians, including over three million children, who are deemed to be in need of humanitarian aid. With continued intensive fighting, the difficulty of reaching disaster areas and approximately two million people who have fled to neighbouring countries, Syria constitutes by far the greatest humanitarian challenge the international community faces today. Donors and UN humanitarian bodies cooperating and complementing each other helps ensure that our aid reaches those affected and provides maximum dividends to the suffering population," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sweden is one of the world's largest humanitarian donors. So far this year, Sweden has contributed SEK 270 million to operations aimed at dealing with the acute humanitarian crisis in Syria and its neighbouring countries. In addition to this, Sweden provides extensive core support to various UN humanitarian bodies and the International Red Cross Movement.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka to visit Stockholm President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, is to visit Stockholm on 30 August at the invitation of Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. During the visit, meetings will also be held at the Riksdag, with Swedish business leaders and with Minister for Finance Anders Borg.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of Africa's largest development funders. Each year the bank approves the equivalent of SEK 40-50 billion in loans and grants to African states and businesses for initiatives, primarily in the areas of infrastructure, private sector development and regional integration.

Sweden has been a member of the AfDB since 1982 and currently owns 1.54 per cent of capital in the bank. Through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden contributed approximately SEK 920 million to the AfDB's activities in 2012. The Government considers that the bank conducts relevant, results-oriented and effective measures that are very much in line with Sweden's aid policy priorities.

President Kaberuka is visiting Sweden as part of a tour of the Nordic region.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to deliver opening address at World Water Week On Monday, 2 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will deliver the opening address at World Water Week and take part in a subsequent press conference with UN Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson and others.

The theme of this year's Water Week, the 23rd in a row, is "Water Cooperation - Building Partnerships". The UN has declared 2013 as the "International Year of Water Cooperation". External links World Water Week, arranged by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), is an annual forum that Stockholm International gathers the world's foremost experts, researchers, policy-makers and leaders in various sectors linked to Water Institute's web site water.

World Water Week will be held at Stockholm International Fairs in Älvsjö and is expected to attract more than 2,500 participants representing more than 130 countries.

Time and venue for the press conference: Time: Monday 2 September at 12.45 Place: Pressrummet, Älvsjömässan (Stockholm International Fairs in Älvsjö)

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 27 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defence Hague, Carlsson and Enström to discuss women, peace and security British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Defence Karin Enström will meet on 29 August.

The focus of the discussion will be the promotion of women, peace and security (UN Resolution 1325) and the prevention of sexual violence in conflict. Swedish government agencies - the Folke Bernadotte Academy, Sida and the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations - will participate in the meeting to provide External links information about their work on women, peace and security in the field. Resolution 1325 The ministers will discuss how Sweden and the United Kingdom can contribute to bridging the gap between policy and practice. The meeting will take place at the Folke Bernadotte Academy.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Henrik Hedberg Press Secretary to Karin Enström +46 8 405 25 15 +46 72 72 75 949 email to Henrik Hedberg

Press release 16 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs UN representative for South Sudan to visit Sweden Hilde Johnson, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Republic of South Sudan, is to visit Stockholm on 19 August for talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

As the world's youngest country, but also one of its poorest, South Sudan stands in great need of commitment and support from the rest of the world. The UN has an important role in the country's future via its Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), which is led by Ms Johnson. Aside from the humanitarian and domestic policy situation in South Sudan, the talks are expected to touch on relations with Sudan and the disputed area of Abyei.

"The Government is following developments in South Sudan and Sudan closely. The UN plays a crucial role in this context. Hilde Johnson's visit is an excellent opportunity to discuss the challenges facing South Sudan and how the UN, the EU and Sweden can be of assistance," says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden has a section office in Juba, South Sudan and Sweden's Ambassador in Khartoum is also accredited to South Sudan. Sweden's development assistance to South Sudan has focused on peace-building and democratisation, as well as health. This development assistance totals SEK 220 million during 2013. Moreover, Sweden has contributed significant humanitarian support to the country, totalling SEK 200 million in 2013. Sweden is also providing development assistance totalling SEK 35 million in 2012-2013 to Sudan.

The focus there is on Darfur and the situation of women. Sweden is also contributing staff to the UNMISS peace-building operation and to the EU's civilian Aviation Security Mission (EUAVSEC) in South Sudan.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 08 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Strong increase in future aid to Afghanistan Today the Government decided to start work on producing a new strategy for Swedish development assistance to Afghanistan for the period 2015-2019.

Similar to the strategy for 2012-2014, the Government wants development assistance for the period 2015-2019 to focus on education, democracy, human rights and gender equality in Afghanistan. New priorities are increased employment, economic integration, and the development of the private sector and rural areas.

Sweden's commitment to Afghanistan is long-term. At the Tokyo Conference in July 2012, Sweden announced its intention to support Afghanistan during the period 2015-2024 with an indicative volume range of SEK 8-8.5 billion. The results offers that the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has now been instructed to produce will be based on a country allocation to Afghanistan of SEK 4-4.25 billion during the period 2015-2019. This is a strong increase compared with the current development assistance levels of approximately SEK 600 million per year.

With today's decision, Sida has been instructed to come up with proposals, based on 'initial values' for how to achieve the development assistance results that the Swedish Government wishes to achieve in Afghanistan. The results proposals will then form the basis of work to produce a results strategy for development assistance to Afghanistan for the period 2015-2019.

Background Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries, with a conflict that is still ongoing and a very limited capacity on the part of the state to provide its citizens with basic services. In the UN 2013 Human Development Report, Afghanistan is placed 175th of a total of 186 countries, and second to last with regard to gender equality. The initital values will prioritise poor people in rural areas, with a special focus on women and children.

Contact Olof Kollinius +46 (0)8-405 2282

Press release 08 August 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Work to start on strategy for future aid to Cambodia Today the Government decided to start work on producing a new strategy for Swedish development assistance to Cambodia for the period 2014-2018.

As with the current strategy, the focus for the period 2014-2018 will be on human rights and democracy, education and climate. Within the area of education there will be a special focus on professional development for greater employability, which is new. The new strategy will also contain criteria aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability. Target groups will be women and young people. With today's decision, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been instructed to come up with proposals for how to achieve the development assistance results that the Swedish Government wishes to achieve in Cambodia. The results proposals will then form the basis of work to produce a results strategy for development assistance to Cambodia for the period 2014-2018. Sida's results offers are to be based on a country allocation to Cambodia totalling SEK 1-1.1 billion for the period 2014-2018.

Background Despite the fact that poverty in Cambodia was more than halved between 2004 and 2011, the country is the second poorest in Southeast Asia and the sixth most vulnerable country in the world in terms of climate change. Parliamentary elections were held in Cambodia on 28 July and over the next few years the country is facing political, social, economic and demographic challenges. Cambodia's own capacity for implementing climate- adaptation measures is low.

Contact Olof Kollinius 405 2282 Parasto Nosrati 405 5678 Asian Desk

Press release 31 July 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New support to Syria Sweden has decided to provide additional support to the severely afflicted Syrian people. The new support focuses on human rights and democracy and reconstruction of the areas not under the control of the Syrian regime.

The human rights and democracy support will be used partly to analyse the current needs in Syria's administration of justice and how to strengthen respect for the rule of law and partly for the documentation of human rights abuses. Reconstruction work will focus on water, electricity, medical care and food distribution.

"The situation in Syria is a tragedy. The international community must shoulder its responsibility, in both political and humanitarian terms, to meet the enormous needs. We are now providing additional support and have so far this year set aside more than SEK 400 million for the Syrian people," says Minister for Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The new Swedish support totals almost SEK 42 million.

This support is in addition to the SEK 264 million that Sweden has so far contributed this year to humanitarian assistance and the SEK 100 million that has been allocated for human rights and democracy projects.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 26 July 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit London On 30 July, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit London to attend a conference at which a report on the post-2015 development agenda "Setting the post-2015 development compass: voices from the ground", will be launched.

The new development agenda, which will replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015, will affect the lives of millions of people around the world. The report is part of a global initiative to include the perspectives and experiences of the most vulnerable people in setting the agenda.

During her visit, Ms Carlsson will also meet with representatives of Oxfam International, the European Council on Foreign Relations, Chatham House and others.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 11 July 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Government opens the way for aid to Myanmar (Burma) The Government today adopted a new strategy for Swedish aid to Myanmar (Burma). Previously, Sweden has only provided aid in individual cases of humanitarian need, but in response to the positive political developments in Myanmar recently, the Government is now adopting a more long-term strategy for more extensive development assistance.

The main areas of the strategy are promotion of human rights, popular participation in peace processes and improved health for women and children. The strategy aims to encourage peaceful and democratic development in the country and to support poverty reduction. It also clearly specifies the results the Government expects from the contributions, which will be implemented between 2013 and 2017 and will have a maximum total volume of SEK 750 million.

"While major challenges still remain in Myanmar, in our view the time is now ripe for broader development cooperation than we have previously had with the country. The positive political developments in the country have opened up new possibilities for cooperation, and the new strategy is a means for us to support the change for the better," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Results strategy for Myanmar in brief The Government's three focus areas are:

- Increased respect for human rights, freedom of expression and accountability - Broad participation in peace processes - Improved health for women and children, focusing particularly on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The strategy emphasises that the uncertainty regarding the political situation in Myanmar dictates a need for great flexibility in implementing the various contributions, while the possibility of direct cooperation with the country's government will remain limited as long as the movement towards reforms and democratisation rests on a fragile foundation. The strategy therefore directs that a large part of Sweden's development assistance should continue to be provided through multilateral channels, funds and civil society organisations.

A conflict-sensitive perspective will guide all of Sweden's development assistance so as to improve the chances of lasting peace. Given the conflict- ridden situation in Myanmar and its susceptibility to rapid change, great emphasis should be placed on risk management.

Sweden's support up to now has contributed to the development of a more robust and pluralistic civil society, improved health, increased media capacity and increased exposure of decision-makers to democratic attitudes and standards.

Myanmar is one of the world's least developed countries, with widespread poverty and an enormous need for reforms relating to democracy and the rule of law. A process of political and economic reform began in 2011. Most political prisoners have been released and relatively free and fair by- elections have been held. However, Myanmar still faces major democratic challenges. In addition, the protracted conflicts between the central government and various ethnic groups, which continue to cause great human suffering and violations of human rights, pose a serious obstacle to progress. The armed conflict in Kachin continues. There is extensive discrimination against minorities such as the Rohingya.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 28 June 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New development cooperation strategy for Somalia

The situation in Somalia, which has long been ravaged by war, is more hopeful than for many years. There are now greater chances than for quite some time for Somalia to take the path towards long-term peace and stable state-building.

It is in light of this that the Government today decided on a new approach for Swedish development cooperation with Somalia over the next five years. The strategy concentrates on supporting Somali long-term reconstruction, with focus on human security and subsistence, democracy and human rights, as well as on health and gender equality. The current allocation to development cooperation will be more than doubled and will amount to SEK 300 million annually between 2013 and 2017.

"The challenges in Somalia remain enormous, and the security situation remains fragile. But it is precisely in this situation, when peace is still being built, that contributions to long-term stability and democracy must be made. This is why we are concentrating both on building institutions for governance and democracy, and on contributing to job creation in the country, including support to entrepreneurship among young people and women," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

"The Swedish-Somali diaspora will play a crucial role in this. The skills which the Somali diaspora in Sweden possess are invaluable, and in the new strategy we also focus on initiatives to promote the diaspora's opportunities to contribute to Somalia's reconstruction," concludes Ms Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 24 June 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Syria in focus on World Refugee Day On World Refugee Day 20 June focus was very much on the conflict in Syria, which in a short period of time has led to a refugee crisis of enormous proportions. The UN puts the number of Syrians in need of humanitarian aid at 6.8 million, which is one third of that nation's entire population. The number of refugees in neighbouring countries has increased to more than 1.6 million.

Since the beginning of the year alone, the number of refugees has increased by nearly 800 000 and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that the total number of refugees may increase to 3.5 million before the end of the year. Now that summer is approaching and the temperature is rising, efforts to prevent outbreaks External links of disease are particularly important. Otherwise, there is a great risk that diseases will spread quickly, which can have serious consequences when people live in very close quarters. You tube: Gunilla Carlsson about the World Refugee Day 20 June 2013 The UNHCR and other humanitarian organisations work tirelessly and at times under very difficult conditions, not least due to the security situation, on intensive operations to assist the refugees, internally displaced persons and others in need of humanitarian aid. This very important and often risky work conducted by humanitarian aid workers deserves great recognition. Syria's neighbours also deserve recognition for keeping their borders open.

In a humanitarian crisis situation, the normal safety nets disappear and refugees are always vulnerable to abuse. Women and children are particularly vulnerable. Information has emerged from the Syrian crisis that women refugees have been exposed to sexual abuse and violence. Special measures are therefore being implemented to prevent these violations and to provide psychosocial support to the victims.

Cooperation is taking place between 126 organisations to support the refugees and internally displaced persons in crisis-torn Syria. This is a massive operation and the UNHCR, which has a special and unique mandate to provide protection and assist the world's refugees, has a central role to play in these efforts.

Last year, Sweden was the UNHCR's third largest individual donor, and the total support provided by Sweden amounted to over SEK 800 million. This year, Sweden will continue to provide substantial support. In addition to this, Sweden has pledged to contribute SEK 150 million in humanitarian aid exclusively for Syria this year. The needs are enormous and many countries must work together to meet the humanitarian needs in Syria. Nonetheless, while the crisis continues, Swedish support to the UNHCR and other humanitarian actors in the region is of vital importance to the individual people affected by the conflict.

"But all told, there are no humanitarian solutions to political crises. Humanitarian aid can only alleviate the situation in Syria, but can never solve it. We are prepared to continue providing support as long as the need exists, but a political solution is necessary to bring a lasting end to the violence," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 13 June 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry for Foreign Affairs publishes reports on human rights situation The Ministry for Foreign Affairs today publishes its annual human rights reports. This year, the reports cover the 35 countries in the Americas.

The overall trend in the reports is positive. All of the governments in the region - except for Cuba's - are popularly elected. Free elections, political parties, respect for the rule of law and greater gender equality have become a part of people's everyday lives in countries that, in some cases, were ruled by military dictatorships as recently as the 1970s.

Efforts for human rights are a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy. It is the Government's ambition to integrate human rights into all areas of foreign policy. We work through bilateral contacts, through the EU, and multilaterally through the UN, the OSCE, the EU and the Council of Europe to promote full respect for human rights in all the countries around the world. The Embassies are actively involved in dialogues with all sectors of the societies in which they operate.

The extensive background material on which the reports are based makes them useful tools for the Government, as well as for government agencies, the business sector, organisations and the general public.

This year is the eleventh in a row that the Swedish Foreign Service has compiled and published these reports. They are the result of collaboration between Sweden's Embassies, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Department for International Law, Human Rights and Treaty Law and the relevant geographical department at the Ministry (in this case, the Americas Department).

All the new reports, and reports from other countries, are available on the Government's human rights website www.manskligarattigheter.se

Read all the reports here (only in Swedish)

Press release 10 June 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson visits Palestine and Israel Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is visiting Palestine and Israel on 9-12 June for talks with official representatives, civil society and international organisations on Sweden's commitment to the peace process and its support to the Palestinians.

Ms Carlsson will meet the new Palestinian Prime Minister and the Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Planning, and the Israeli Minister of Finance.

She will also meet young Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to discuss their views on Palestinian development issues.

Sweden is a substantial donor of humanitarian aid and state-building assistance to the Palestinians. The visit is a step in establishing a new results strategy for development cooperation over the coming five-year period. It is expected to focus on the building of Palestinian institutions, but also to provide special support to Palestinian development in Area C of the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority is prevented from acting and Israeli settlements are expanding, with serious consequences for the local Palestinian population.

Sweden's support to the Palestinians totals approximately SEK 700 million per year.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 07 June 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The humanitarian crisis in Syria The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR today presented an updated version of the emergency appeals for the humanitarian crisis in and around Syria. In total, the UN is asking for some USD 5 billion for 2013 from donor countries, which is the largest appeal ever.

The situation in and around Syria has further deteriorated over the past six months. The needs are growing quickly in Syria and there are currently 6.8 million Syrians in need of humanitarian support. Since January alone, an additional 800 000 Syrians have left their home country and more than 1.6 million Syrians are now living as refugees in the neighbouring countries Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. A total of 4 million of those affected in and around Syria are children.

Sweden has contributed to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis from an early stage and continues to be one of the largest donors. In 2012 we contributed SEK 248 million. This year, we have committed to contributing at least SEK 150 million. We will also continue to contribute unearmarked support to the major humanitarian organisations' budgets, which in many cases will be spent in Syria.

"Today's appeal, which is one of the largest ever, shows how serious the situation in Syria is. We will examine possibilities of increasing our support to Syria and its neighbours. However, it is crucial that all donors take their responsibility and contribute to humanitarian operations. At the same time, there is no doubt that without a political solution the humanitarian crisis will simply continue to deteriorate," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 30 May 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda presents its report to Ban Ki-moon For almost a year now, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson has worked on the UN High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, mandated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to present recommendations and proposals for the next development agenda that will replace the current Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015.

Today, the Panel launched its report, containing a number of radical proposals, and presented it to the Secretary-General. Ms Carlsson has mainly focused on issues such as democracy and effective governance, gender equality and freedom from violence - issues that are often controversial in international contexts. The External links Panel's report contains illustrative proposals for development goals, and all these areas are covered by goals of their own. Information about the Panel on Post-2015 Ministry for Foreign Affairs' "We have had frank debates, and I have chosen to focus on areas that often encounter resistance around the web site world. I am therefore pleased that the panel was finally able to agree on strong language on, for example, political freedom, freedom from corruption and the importance of sexual and reproductive rights. It's a great victory, certainly for Sweden, but above all for people around the world living in poverty and exclusion," said Ms Carlsson. Some of new areas for the panel's proposals are: More jobs and equitable growth Improved political governance and effective institutions Stable and peaceful societies Sustainable management of natural resources

The Panel's proposed illustrative targets also contain sub-goals such as eliminating child marriage in the world, ensuring the protection of women's right to inherit property, sign contracts, set up businesses and open bank accounts, and ensuring everyone's sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Panel would like to see the next development agenda apply to every country in the world, integrate both the issues of poverty and sustainable development into the same framework, and seek to completely eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. Minister for International Development Cooperation is available for interviews on the Panel's work and report. For more information about the Panel, visit www.post2015hlp.org or contact the Press Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation. The report will be available at government.se/mfa after 21.00 today, in connection with its release.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 22 May 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Internet lifts developing countries In many low- and middle-income countries, rapidly increasing access to the internet and mobile telephony has been one of the most noticeable social changes of the past decade. Global experts are now meeting in Stockholm to discuss how to further support this development.

Time and place Related Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the concluding panel Freedom on the Internet debate 'Internet freedom for global development - making progress?' between 14.00 and 15.30 on 23 May. Ms Press release: Carl Bildt, Carlsson will be available for questions from the media following the debate. Gunilla Carlsson and Anna- Karin Hatt involved in The number of people in low- and middle-income countries who now have a direct link to the rest of the world Stockholm Internet Forum in their pockets is increasing dramatically each year. On 22 and 23 May, the significance of the information 2013 and communication technology revolution for global economic and social development will be discussed at Article: SIF13 kicks off on 22 the Stockholm Internet Forum on Internet Freedom for Global Development (SIF13). Minister for Foreign May Affairs Carl Bildt is hosting the conference, and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Information Technology Anna-Karin Hatt will attend. External links The second day of the conference has a clear focus on development, with a broad spectrum of participants. A variety of experts, from system developers and entrepreneurs to telecom bureaucrats and human rights Webcast of the entire defenders, will discuss what is needed for everyone to have access to the technologies that define today's conference reality. All 450 conference participants, more than half of whom come from low- and middle-income Opinion piece by Carl Bildt countries, have been chosen on the basis of their expertise in these issues. and Cecilia Malmström: Spread internet freedom to more Access to communication and information is key to increasing the opportunities for poor people to exercise Carl Bildt welcomes their freedom of expression and information. As such, access to the internet and IT has also become an participants and the public to important tool in the fight against lack of freedom and oppression around the world and has created new SIF13 conditions for poverty reduction, anti-corruption efforts, democratic development and political participation.

The discussions at the Stockholm Internet Forum offer an important meeting place for political decision- makers, civil society representatives, activists, business sector representatives and technical experts to discuss how to improve access to, and the use of, the internet to encourage economic, social and democratic development.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Teo Zetterman Press Officer +46 8 405 10 00 +46 708 10 73 47 email to Teo Zetterman

Press release 22 May 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Carl Bildt, Gunilla Carlsson and Anna-Karin Hatt involved in Stockholm Internet Forum 2013 Starting today until 23 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Information Technology Anna-Karin Hatt will take part in the Stockholm Internet Forum on Internet Freedom for Global Development at Münchenbryggeriet in central Stockholm.

Time and place Related Ms Carlsson and Ms Hatt will be available to answer questions from the media when they attend the More about freedom on the conference on 23 May. Ms Carlsson will take part in the concluding panel debate on 'Internet freedom for Internet global development - making progress?' between 14.00 and 15.30. Ms Hatt will take part in the panel debate on 'Free and open internet for global inclusive growth' between 09.00 and 10.30. External links The Stockholm Internet Forum (SIF), which is being held the second year running, will bring together over Stockholm Internet Forum 400 activists, experts, politicians and representatives of business and society from more than 90 countries. Web site More than half of this year's participants are from middle- or low-income countries. They are coming to SIF to discuss how internet freedom and openness can promote human rights and social development worldwide.

Internet freedom is one of the top priorities of Swedish foreign policy. It concerns respecting human rights, both online and offline. Everyone should be free to think and say what they want - on the internet too. This may seem obvious to us in Sweden, but it is far from the reality in many other countries.

Stockholm Internet Forum online Digital curators will be at the conference to enable people to participate in the conference online. The digital curators will monitor and pick up on conference-related content to share on the conference website, making it participator-generated.

The Stockholm Internet Forum will be webcast live in its entirety on the Forum website. It will also be possible to interact with the conference via Twitter at #sif13.

Contact Erik Zsiga Press Secretary to Carl Bildt +46 72 573 91 30 email to Erik Zsiga Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Jonas Johansson Press Secretary to Anna-Karin Hatt +46 8 405 24 11 +46 72 208 22 71 email to Jonas Johansson

Press release 10 May 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation in New York for meeting of Post-2015 Development Agenda Panel On 13-15 May, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the meeting of the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda in New York. During the meeting the panel will discuss the report, currently being written, to be presented to the UN Secretary-General at the end of May. This is the panel's final meeting before the report is presented.

A press conference will be held with the panel's three chairs - Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia - in the press area of the North Lawn Building at the UN Headquarters on 15 May at 13.00, local time. Valid press accreditation is required for access to the UN Headquarters. For further information, please contact the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU) via [email protected] or:

http://www.un.org/en/media/accreditation/ The UN High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, of which Ms Carlsson is a member, has been asked by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to submit recommendations on the next global development agenda to replace the Millennium Development Goals when these expire in 2015.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 02 May 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister's Office Five ministers to take part in the World Economic Forum on Africa On 9-10 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling, Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for EU Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson will be taking part in the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) in Cape Town. On 5-12 May, in connection with the WEF, some of the ministers will also visit Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola and Zimbabwe.

The WEF will focus on the conditions for sustaining Africa's strong growth and development. There will be discussions on how politicians and the business community can help to strengthen the macroeconomic outlook, global trade and regional integration, structural reforms, the impact of development assistance and human rights. In Cape Town, the ministers will also have bilateral talks with South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and several other representatives of the South African Government.

The visits to the other countries will offer opportunities for high-level meetings, promotional events and strengthening the image of Sweden. Bilateral talks will be held with ministers in these countries. Sweden is interested in supporting and seizing on the new, positive outlook for Africa's development and highlighting the importance of political reforms towards democracy. Sweden's historical and multifaceted ties with many African countries provide a solid foundation for stronger and broader future cooperation.

The ministers will be available to answers questions at regular press conferences during the trip. Invitations to these press conferences will be sent separately.

Contact: Charlotta Ozaki Macias Head of the Press, Information and Communication Department (MFA-PIK) + 46 8 405 57 25 + 46 702 56 87 78

Caroline Karlsson Press Secretary to Anders Borg + 46 8 405 80 13 +46 72 744 23 30

Erik Zsiga Press Secretary to Carl Bildt +46 72 573 91 30

Gustav Ahlsson Political Adviser to Ewa Björling + 46 8 405 55 65 +46 70 616 77 23

Linnea Hincks Political Adviser to Birgitta Ohlsson +46 73 553 60 74

Press release 26 April 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press briefing on Sweden's humanitarian aid

Time and place Monday 29 April at 11.00 Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Gustav Adolfs torg 1

Conflicts continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Syria, hopes of a speedy resolution of the conflict have been replaced by the realisation that a humanitarian crisis is likely to continue for quite some time to come. In Somalia there is now the hope that long-term rebuilding efforts will be able to start in earnest, but in many parts of the country people still need emergency relief to survive.

Sweden (through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs) is the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor in the world, with support totalling some SEK 5 billion each year. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs administrates the humanitarian core support to the UN organisations, and Sida deals with country-based and region-based support via the UN, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organisations.

Why is humanitarian aid a priority for Sweden? How do we assess which countries should receive aid? How are we allocating the resources in 2013? Where are the needs greatest?

You are welcome to attend a press briefing on Monday 29 April about Sweden's humanitarian aid with Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Sida Director-General Charlotte Petri Gornitzka.

Please bring your press credentials.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Press contact for Charlotte Petri Gornitzka: Anette Widholm Bolme, +46 8 698 55 55.

Press release 22 March 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Indonesia with High- level Panel on Global Sustainability

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is a member of the UN panel that is to draw up proposals for the global development agenda post-2015, when the current Millennium Development Goals reach their target date. The panel will meet in Indonesia on 25-27 March and their focus will be the implementation of the agenda, partnership and cooperation on development, environmental challenges and trade. Ms Carlsson will deliver a speech on the importance of migration for development and growth.

The work of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability will provide input for a report that the UN Secretary-General will present to the General Assembly in the summer and that will be discussed at a high-level meeting in September.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 05 March 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson visiting Botswana Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is visiting Botswana on 4-5 March to take part in the concluding meeting of the UN's global consultation on health. The consultation is part of UN efforts to collect the views of different actors on how the next global framework for development should address health issues. The new framework is to replace the current Millennium Development Goals after 2015, when they are set to expire.

Sweden has led the consultation on health, together with Botswana, the WHO and UNICEF. The consultation aims at stimulating a broad discussion on the progress that has been made and the lessons that have been learned from the current health-related Millennium Development Goals. Sweden's role is to ensure that important Swedish priorities are placed high on the agenda, including MDGs 4 and 5, sexual and reproductive health and rights, human rights, gender equality and the links to democratic governance and aid effectiveness issues.

During the bilateral meetings, Ms Carlsson will meet Botswana's President Ian Khama and Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani.

In connection with the health consultation, Ms Carlsson will also hold a breakfast meeting with leaders of international health institutions the WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, the World Bank and heads of the local UN representations in Botswana. The theme of the breakfast meeting is aid effectiveness and partnership issues. Ms Carlsson has, on a number of occasions, taken part in discussions on how the international health systems can be made more effective, including with President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim and Director-General of the WHO Margaret Chan during their most recent visit to Sweden in December 2012.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 11 February 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Bildt, Björling and Carlsson to present Statement of Foreign Policy What will Sweden's foreign policy be like in the year ahead and beyond? On Wednesday, 13 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will present this year's Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Riksdag's major foreign policy debate will follow the Statement.

Time and place Related Time of press conference: Wednesday, 13 February, at approximately 11.00 (after the debate) This is the Statement of Place: Riksdag Press Centre, Stockholm Foreign Policy Read the full Statement of The Statement of Foreign Policy is both the Government's annual report of Sweden's role in the world and a Foreign Policy presentation of the coming year's objectives and priorities in foreign, development assistance, trade and security policy. The Statement describes Sweden's views on development in its neighbourhood, the EU and other parts of the world, and also presents, for example, Sweden's contribution to international cooperation and its focus on human rights. External links Web cast on the Riksdag website MFA on Twitter Press conference Ask Carl Bildt on Twitter At approximately 11.00 on Wednesday, 13 February (after the debate), Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, @fragaCarlBildt Minister for Trade and Nordic Cooperation Ewa Björling, and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet the press at the Riksdag Press Centre.

Statement of Foreign Policy From 09.00 on Wednesday, when the Statement of Foreign Policy begins in the Riksdag, a PDF version will be available for download on the MFA web site. No printed copies will be distributed. The Statement will be tweeted live on the MFA Twitter account (#SweFP @SweMFA) and webcast live on the Riksdag website.

Twitter with Carl Bildt Between 13.30 and 14.00, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will take part in a Twitter question and answer session for the second year running. It will be possible to ask him directly about the Statement of Foreign Policy and Swedish foreign policy on the Twitter account @FragaCarlBildt. He will answer as many questions as he can during the half-hour session.

Gunilla Carlsson at Södertörn University The Minister for International Development Cooperation will visit Södertörn University in the afternoon to present the Statement of Foreign Policy, with a focus on Swedish development assistance. The meeting will take place between 14.00 and 15.00 in room MA636 (6th floor of the main building), Alfred Nobels Allé 7.

Contact Erik Zsiga Press Secretary to Carl Bildt +46 72 573 91 30 email to Erik Zsiga Monica Enqvist Press Secretary +46 70 670 86 18 email Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 11 February 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Reminder: Bildt, Björling and Carlsson to present Statement of Foreign Policy What will Sweden's foreign policy be like in the year ahead and beyond? On Wednesday, 13 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will present this year's Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Riksdag's major foreign policy debate will follow the Statement.

Time and place Related Time of press conference: Wednesday, 13 February, at approximately 11.00 (after the debate) Read the full Statement of Place: Riksdag Press Centre, Stockholm Foreign Policy

The Statement of Foreign Policy is both the Government's annual report of Sweden's role in the world and a presentation of the coming year's objectives and priorities in foreign, development assistance, trade and security policy. The Statement describes Sweden's views on development in its neighbourhood, the EU and External links other parts of the world, and also presents, for example, Sweden's contribution to international cooperation Web cast on the Riksdag and its focus on human rights. website MFA on Twitter Ask Carl Bildt on Twitter @fragaCarlBildt Press conference At approximately 11.00 on Wednesday, 13 February (after the debate), Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for Trade and Nordic Cooperation Ewa Björling, and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet the press at the Riksdag Press Centre.

Statement of Foreign Policy From 09.00 on Wednesday, when the Statement of Foreign Policy begins in the Riksdag, a PDF version will be available for download on the MFA web site. No printed copies will be distributed. The Statement will be tweeted live on the MFA Twitter account (#SweFP @SweMFA) and webcast live on the Riksdag website.

Twitter with Carl Bildt Between 13.30 and 14.00, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will take part in a Twitter question and answer session for the second year running. It will be possible to ask him directly about the Statement of Foreign Policy and Swedish foreign policy on the Twitter account @FragaCarlBildt. He will answer as many questions as he can during the half-hour session.

Gunilla Carlsson at Södertörn University The Minister for International Development Cooperation will visit Södertörn University in the afternoon to present the Statement of Foreign Policy, with a focus on Swedish development assistance. The meeting will take place between 14.00 and 15.00 in room MA636 (6th floor of the main building), Alfred Nobels Allé 7.

Contact Erik Zsiga Press Secretary to Carl Bildt +46 72 573 91 30 email to Erik Zsiga Monica Enqvist Press Secretary +46 70 670 86 18 email Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 31 January 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to Liberia for meeting of UN post-2015 panel Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is one of 26 members on the UN high-level panel tasked with presenting proposals for the global development agenda after 2015, the deadline for the current Millennium Development Goals. On 31 January to 1 February, the panel will hold its second high-level meeting, this time in Liberia's capital of Monrovia.

The main theme of the meeting is 'national building blocks for sustained prosperity', which includes issues of inclusive growth and conditions for business development. The meeting also has a particular focus on the situation in fragile and conflict-affected states. Ms Carlsson will be working to ensure that the issues of External links democratic governance, political accountability, transparency and the rule of law are included in the panel's framework. These issues are key to guaranteeing people's political rights and are also important drivers of More about the meeting development and growth. Ms Carlsson will give one of the panel meeting's main speeches on the area and will also discuss the way forward with the other panel members

The work of the post-2015 panel will provide input for a report that the UN Secretary-General will present to the General Assembly in mid-2013 and that will be discussed at a high-level meeting in September.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 30 January 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson travelling to Kuwait for Syria conference Today, 30 January, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in a donor conference on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

The conference is being held in Kuwait City, led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The aim of the conference is to increase humanitarian aid to those in need in Syria and to discuss the best way of assisting those affected by the fighting.

To date, Sweden has contributed SEK 248 million to operations aimed at dealing with the acute humanitarian crisis in Syria and its neighbouring countries. Most of the support has gone to UN organisations and the Red Cross Movement.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 January 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson visits Iraq Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is today visiting Baghdad, Iraq, for the first time. The aim of her visit is to familiarise herself with developments in the country and the Swedish development assistance initiatives there. Sweden has been engaged in development cooperation with Iraq since 2004.

During her visit, Ms Carlsson will meet the Iraqi foreign and planning ministers, as well as representatives of the UN and of civil society. Discussions will focus on Sweden's aid to Iraq, the political situation in the country and the conflict in Syria.

Swedish aid to the country totals SEK 560 million under the current country strategy, which covers the period 2009-2014. The strategy focuses on democratic governance and human rights, as well as trade, business and financial systems.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 January 2013 Ministry of Justice Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden chairs Global Forum on Migration and Development On 1 January 2013, Sweden took over the Chairmanship of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The Forum gathers over 160 states to discuss opportunities for increasing migration's contribution to development.

Time and place Download Thursday 31 January from 09.30-12.30 Programme (pdf 213 kB) Rosenbad Conference Centre, Drottninggatan 5

To inaugurate Sweden's Chairmanship, the Government will arrange a half-day seminar on 31 January, at which background information about the Forum as well as Sweden's priorities will be presented. Among those participating will be Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson's State Secretary Sofia Strand and the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Migration and Development, Peter Sutherland.

The media are welcome to attend the entire seminar. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to Mr Billström and Mr Sutherland in connection with the first panel discussion.

NB! If you plan to attend, advance notification must be sent to Linda Norberg. Please bring press credentials.

Facts: The Global Forum on Migration and Development is a unique informal intergovernmental platform for dialogue on migration and development. Since its launch in 2007, over 160 states have participated each year. Sweden's Chairmanship will conclude with a world conference for some 1 000 delegates in May 2014.

Contact Linda Norberg Press Secretary to Tobias Billström

Press release 29 January 2013 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sida commissioned for reform cooperation with Eastern Europe and Western Balkans The Government has decided to commission Sida to produce input for new strategies in Sweden's reform cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. The decision is part of the Government's renewal efforts to strengthen results-based management in development assistance.

Sweden's engagement in supporting the reform processes in Eastern Europe, based on the Eastern Partnership, and in the Western Balkans within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process, builds on the critical importance to the countries in the region of establishing closer ties with the EU. The establishment of closer ties with the EU is a central driving force and an important instrument in democratising and modernising these countries and making them more oriented towards a market economy. Support for civil society and improving the countries' institutional capacities are important starting points in Sweden's engagement.

Through the new regional strategies, the Swedish Government is undertaking a long-term commitment to support the strengthening of ties between these countries and the EU. The new strategies will cover the period 2014-2020, which coincides with the period of the new EU development instruments for these countries. The idea behind this is to enhance cooperation and coordination with EU support. Swedish support over this period will total an estimated SEK 8 billion.

"With knowledge, experience and engagement, Sweden can, together with the EU, make a difference and support these countries' reform processes and strengthening ties with the EU and its values," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 23 January 2013 Prime Minister's Office Ministry of Finance Ministry for Foreign Affairs Fredrik Reinfeldt, Anders Borg and Gunilla Carlsson to Davos On 23-25 January, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will be in Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the World Economic Forum. Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson are also participating.

This year, the discussions in Davos will particularly focus on how Europe can renew its reform agenda and increase its competitiveness. It will be an opportunity to discuss other countries' experiences and share the lessons learned by Sweden. Mr Reinfeldt will participate in five different panel discussions. He will moderate a discussion on how the right conditions for a Europe characterised by strong growth and high employment can be created.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Reinfeldt will participate in an open panel concerning how new job opportunities can be created, for example, which innovations and education systems can lead to the creation of new jobs and how individuals can increase their own employability. He will also participate in panels on how IT influences gender equality in society, how a new vision for inclusive and sustainable growth can be created as well as a panel on the main barriers to implementing the necessary structural reforms.

Minister for Finance Borg will participate is several meetings, mainly focused on how we can rebuild and strengthen competitiveness, partly from a European perspective, but also in other parts of the world. He will participate in discussions on how structural reforms are best created and implemented, lead a workshop on how Europe can create long-term sustainable growth as well as lead a discussion on the measures required to rebuild confidence in the global economy. Mr Borg will also participate in a discussion of the specific economic challenges facing several African countries.

Minister for International Development Cooperation Carlsson will participate in meetings on innovations in humanitarian work, the situation in Syria, agricultural development in Africa as well as several meetings in which the world's post-2015 development objectives will be discussed. Ms Carlsson will also host an informal meeting on Somalia's future and have private meetings with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Bill Gates.

The programme includes:

Fredrik Reinfeldt

Onsdag 23 januari

15.30-17.00 Reforming Reforms - Pushing the Competitiveness Agenda forward How can we translate the desire to reform into reality? The followings dimensions will be addressed: Dealing with the challenges of public administration Overcoming internal and external obstacles Building and maintaining support for the reform agenda

17.30 Gemensam pressträff, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Anders Borg och Gunilla Carlsson Plats: Sunstar Park Hotel (Davos Platz), Parkstrasse 1

19.00-20.30 Open Forum: Unemployed or Unemployable? Globally, there is a need to create 600 million productive jobs over the next decade to ensure sustainable growth and preserve social cohesion. Youth are protesting en masse and the number of university graduates is higher than ever before, yet businesses are struggling to find skilled talent to hire. How can this gap be bridged? Who should be responsible for the creation of 600 million jobs? What innovations are needed? Is the unemployment problem a structural or systemic problem? Is the education system at fault, or are the unemployed? Is unemployment high because of economic policy? Torsdag 24 januari

9.00-10.15 Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Laying the Foundations for Europe's Renaissance Europe will face significant challenges in 2013: balancing "smart austerity" with the need for "smart growth"; reversing the trend of diverging competitiveness; and on-going refinancing and liquidity issues. Bold steps are needed to revive growth and ensure resilience against future shocks. Key questions: What innovative ideas could inspire Europeans? How can adjustment fatigue in the South and support fatigue in the North be addressed? Is debt mutualization the only way to salvage the euro? What drivers can create jobs in a new economic context of budgetary discipline?

12.30-13.45 Decoding the Digital Gender Divide How can the full potential of information technologies be harnessed to close the gender divide? Dimensions to be addressed: Engaging girls in computer science Leveraging collaborative platforms Targeting ICT skills gaps

14.45-15.45 A New Vision for Growth What new vision for growth is needed to achieve inclusive, sustainable and resilient prosperity? Dimensions to be addressed: Focusing on productivity and employment Embedding innovation as growth engine Rethinking cooperation models amidst global constraints

Anders Borg

Onsdag 23 januari

1530-17.00 Reforming Reforms - Pushing the Competitiveness Agenda forward Participant, Derby Hotel Davos

How can we translate the desire to reform into reality? The followings dimensions will be addressed: Dealing with the challenges of public administration capacity Overcoming internal and external obstacles Building and maintaining support for the reform agenda

Torsdag 24 januari

09.00-10.15 IGWEL: Laying the Foundations for Europe's Renaissance Contributor, Congress Centre

Europe will face significant challenges in 2013: balancing "smart austerity" with the need for "smart growth"; reversing the trend of diverging competitiveness; and on-going refinancing and liquidity issues. Bold steps are needed to revive growth and ensure resilience against future shocks. Key questions: What innovative ideas could inspire Europeans? How can adjustment fatigue in the South and support fatigue in the North be addressed? Is debt mutualization the only way to salvage the euro? What drivers can create jobs in a new economic context of budgetary discipline?

14.45-16.15 Workshop: Rebuilding Europe's Competitiveness Moderator, Congress Centre What critical steps are needed to achieve long-term prosperity in Europe? Session objectives: Design the roadmap to growth Catalyse action among European leaders

20.00-22.00 Africa's Promise: How can Africa's leaders deliver on the continent's promise? Dinner discussion

Fredag 25 januari

09.45-11.00 Governors Session: Future Competiveness of Europe: Key Drivers and Best Practice Sharing Special Guest, opening remarks, Hotel Waldhuus, Jakobshorn

The European automotive industry represents 4.1% of EU GDP and more than 12 million jobs. The current European economic situation raises many uncertainties that are impacting the automotive industry. 1. What is the macroeconomic outlook in Europe for the next one to three years? What are the possible scenarios for Europe's future? Are the fundamentals solved or are we buying time? 2. What should governments do to stimulate growth and send signals of trust to businesses and consumers? 3. How can nations maintain competitiveness while ensuring industrial growth? 4. How can the industry navigate through this crisis and prepare for a sustainable model?

12.00-13.45 IGWEL: Defining the Imperatives for 2013 Contributor Congress Centre Lunch discussion

The prevailing themes of 2012 were sluggish global growth, slowing economies in emerging markets, transformation and tension in the Middle East, and on-going turbulence in the Eurozone. These will continue to dominate the outlook for 2013, even as new risks emerge. The opening lunch of IGWEL will define and prioritize the imperatives in 2013 to steer global transformation towards resilient dynamism. Key questions: What are the global consequences of the US elections and China's 18th Party Congress? What are the geopolitical implications of uncertainties tied to Syria and Iran and how should they be addressed? How can the conditions for a sustained, jobs-rich growth path be created? How should the post-2015 Global Development Goals be shaped and designed?

Lördag 26 januari

08.30-10.15 IGWEL: Policy Actions for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Contributor Congress Centre

The global economic outlook remains uncertain, despite the recent positive developments and the relative calm in the markets. Economic conditions are likely to remain weak in major advanced economies, and sluggish growth has led to increased unemployment and spillovers to other countries, with emerging economies also witnessing a slowdown. Against this background, confidence needs to be restored through prompt and resolute actions on the part of both the public and private sectors. A major challenge is to work together to formulate and implement policies that will help mitigate the immediate risks and secure a sustainable and jobs-rich recovery. Key issues/questions to be discussed: What are the key near- and medium-term actions needed to promote investment and spur sustainable and inclusive growth? What are the implications of the major shifts in the labor market for boosting job creation, including the impact of technological changes, developments in non-wage labor costs, and other labor market reforms? What specific actions can the financial sector take to support jobs and growth? What incentives are necessary to promote financial innovation with the most potential value added to society?

Gunilla Carlsson

Onsdag 23 januari

15.30-17.00 Reforming Reforms - Pushing the Competitiveness Agenda forward How can we translate the desire to reform into reality? The followings dimensions will be addressed: Dealing with the challenges of public administration capacity Overcoming internal and external obstacles Building and maintaining support for the reform agenda

19.30-22.00 New Models for High-Impact Development Investment The status quo is unsustainable. Today's global development challenges call for a fresh approach to donor assistance - transitioning from donor aid to catalytic investment. These significant investments, combined strategically, could be better leveraged to respond to the needs of the world's most vulnerable populations but who is leading the transformation, what else needs to be done and who else needs to be involved?

Torsdag 24 januari

12.00-13.45 The MDGs' Last 1000 Days: Paving the Way for Success Beyond 2015 The final three years to 2015 cannot be only about preparing for the post-2015 era. Maintaining momentum and maximizing progress on the current targets is absolutely critical in transitioning to a new framework. Dimensions to be addressed: What are the top priorities to be achieved by 2015? What are some issues where breakthroughs over the coming 3 years will help springboard progress post-2015

14.00-15.30 A new vision for emergency response 2025 Humanitarian challenges are complex and costly - virtually doubling global investment in the past decade and our methods of response increasingly outdated. Annual spending on emergency humanitarian response is over US$17 billion annually and the capacity to deliver is being stretched beyond capacity. Providing a collaborative space and exposure to progressive thinking and designing transformative technological solutions would help influence global leaders to understand and shape how future investment would be better leveraged for the nature and magnitude of future challenges.

16.30-18.00 Informellt ministermöte om Somalia

20.00-22.00 Africa's Promise: How can Africa's leaders deliver on the continent's promise?

Fredag 25 januari

12.10-14.00 Innovative Development Partnerships How can global development partnerships be designed for greater scale and impact? Dimensions to be addressed: Building local capacity and innovation ecosystems Tapping private- and public-sector expertise Fostering scientific and technological innovation

16.00-17.30 The Future we Want from 2015 The Millennium Development Goals are due to end in 2015. The Rio+20 declaration on "The Future We Want" called for global sustainable development goals to be in place from 2015. A new accord on climate change, replacing the extended Kyoto Protocol, is also scheduled for 2015. In this context, the UN Secretary-General set up a high-level panel to advise him on global development and sustainability beyond 2015. The panel is due to report to the UN General Assembly in September 2013.

20.30 Women Leaders Dinner: Women Giving Back Intergenerational transfer of knowledge is critical to growth, development and succession in organizations. How are today's women leaders forging paths for future generations? The following dimensions will be addressed: Defining "giving back" Role models across generations Mentoring and sponsoring the next generation of women leaders Lördag 26 januari

08.30-10.00 Shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda What common themes should pave the way towards the post-2015 Development Agenda? Session objectives: Applying complex systems thinking Focusing on win-win scenarios Forecasting achievements for 2030

Contact Roberta Alenius Presschef hos Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 49 04 Markus Friberg Press Secretary to Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 48 72 +46 70 261 30 84 email to Markus Friberg Petter Larsson Press Secretary +46 8 405 10 00 +46 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham 2012

Press release 28 November 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation visits Lebanon and Syrian border On 27-28 November, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is visiting Lebanon and refugee camps close to the Syrian border to monitor the humanitarian needs that have arisen as a consequence of the conflict in Syria.

Lebanon is one of the countries that has clearly been affected by the conflict and has received more than 100 000 Syrian refugees. Sweden is one of the largest humanitarian aid donors to Syria and its neighbouring countries. This year, it has donated SEK 246 million, of which a significant portion has gone to Lebanon.

Apart from the visit to the area that has received large influxes of Syrian refugees, Ms Carlsson will also meet Prime Minister Mikati and representatives of the UN and international relief organisations. She will also visit Palestine refugee camps together with the the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 15 November 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New Director-General at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Government today appointed Ann-Sofie Nilsson as Director-General for International Development Cooperation.

Ms Nilsson will move from her current position as Deputy Administrative Director at the Ministers Office and coordinator for Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Between October 2010 and February 2011 she served as acting Director-General at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Her previous positions include posts at the Swedish Section Office in Pristina and the Swedish Embassy in Amman.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 October 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Focus on poverty when UN post-2015 panel meets in London On 31 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will travel to London to join her colleagues in the UN Secretary-General's post-2015 panel in the next step towards framing a new global development agenda. One of the most important issues is how to eradicate world poverty.

The High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda was appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the end of July to prepare proposals on a new development agenda from 2015 onwards, including means of securing political support for the agenda. When the Panel now meets for the second time, the discussion will focus on issues related to the ability of individual people and households to support themselves.

A range of Swedish actors have been invited to discuss their vision of a future global development agenda, and Ms Carlsson will bring forward their ideas and views to the meeting. A broad process of consultation has begun, in Sweden and other countries, to ensure that the new goals enjoy broad support from civil society, young people, the business sector, the scientific community and, not least, people living in poverty.

The work of the post-2015 panel will provide input for a report that the UN Secretary-General will present to the General Assembly in mid-2013 and that will be discussed at a high-level meeting in September that year.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 24 September 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Gunilla Carlsson at the UN in New York Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson are travelling to New York this weekend to attend the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Alongside the UN programme, there are various activities in the margins, which for Mr Bildt will be dominated by the situation in the Middle East. Ms Carlsson will begin her work on the international High-level Panel that has been mandated to propose new global development goals.

Time and place Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet the press at 07.45 on Monday 24 September at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, 885 2nd Avenue, 46th floor.

Mr Bildt's agenda also includes meetings on internet freedom, non-proliferation and the situation in the Horn of Africa, as well as numerous meetings with fellow foreign ministers.

On Wednesday 26 September Mr Bildt will participate in a panel discussion on the future organisation of the internet, focusing on freedom, security and development, co-arranged by Sweden and the International Peace Institute. The Swedish speech to the General Assembly will be delivered on the evening of Friday 28 September.

On 25 September, Ms Carlsson will begin her work on the international High-level Panel that has been mandated to propose new global development goals. The Panel is co-chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia. Its remit is to draw conclusions regarding the existing Millennium Development Goals, taking stock of the results achieved and, on the basis of current development challenges, propose new global sustainable development goals, with a focus on poverty reduction. The Panel is to complete its report by June 2013, for discussion at the United Nations General Assembly in September that year.

Contact Anders Jörle Head of the Press Service +46 8 405 57 27 +46 70 888 36 24 email to Anders Jörle Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 20 September 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Government speeds towards Millennium Development Goals The Government is allocating one per cent of estimated gross national income (GNI) to development cooperation in 2013. This means SEK 38.2 billion in total, an increase of around SEK 2.4 billion compared with 2012.

The Government is to spend over one billion kronor on special initiatives in the poorest countries, to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals concerning reduced infant mortality and increased access to water and sanitation, but also to strengthen engagement in democratisation and freedom of expression, and adaptation to climate change in the poorest countries.

The Swedish development assistance framework also includes costs from other parts of the central government budget that are classed as development assistance, e.g. costs for the reception of asylum seekers from low- and middle-income countries, Sweden's contribution to EU development assistance and contributions to the regular budgets of certain UN bodies. The development cooperation part of expenditure area 7, International development cooperation and reform cooperation in eastern Europe, totals SEK 31.2 billion. The goal of international development cooperation is to contribute to creating a situation that enables poor people to improve their living conditions. The objective of reform cooperation in eastern Europe is strengthened democracy, equitable and sustainable development, and closer ties to the EU and its basic values.

Special initiatives in the budget for 2013

Spurt towards the Millennium Development Goals: initiatives to reduce infant and maternal mortality and increase access to water and sanitation The Government is to follow up on its intention to strengthen Sweden's contribution to the Millennium Development Goals, with particular focus on goals 4 (reducing infant mortality), 5 (improving maternal health) and 7 (ensuring environmentally sustainable development), and on those countries with the furthest to go in achieving the goals, or at risk of failing to achieve any of them. SEK 400 million is being allocated for initiatives strengthening global work for access to clean water and sanitation. Clean water and sanitation initiatives are considered highly relevant to reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health.

Strengthened initiatives for democratisation and freedom of expression For the fourth year in a row, the Government is strengthening its initiatives for democratisation and freedom of expression, in particularly to support those defending democratisation and human rights in at-risk situations around the world. The Government is allocating an additional SEK 90 million to this special initiative. It is also allocating an additional SEK 100 million to support ongoing and future democratisation processes in the Middle East and North Africa.

Continued climate initiative The Government's climate initiative in development assistance will continue in 2013. SEK 500 million is being allocated for initiatives via channels that clearly benefit the poorest and hardest hit countries, for example poor countries in Africa. The objective is to contribute as effectively as possible to long-term adaptation efforts, primarily in the poorest countries. This includes measures to reduce people's vulnerability to climate change, for example through investments in functioning ecosystems, sanitation, sustainable agriculture and access to water.

Grants to foreign students The Government is allocating an additional SEK 50 million - SEK 100 million in total - to make it possible for students from countries classed by the OECD/DAC as development assistance recipients to come to study in Sweden.

Strengthened preparedness for humanitarian crises and disasters In light of the severe drought in the Sahel, a continuing complex and major crisis in the Horn of Africa, the violence in Syria and ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Government is maintaining a high level of ambition in the humanitarian sphere. A total of around SEK 5 billion is allocated in this year's budget for humanitarian operations. SEK 2.8 billion of this is allocated to rapid reaction operations for sudden crises. Over SEK 2 billion will go to renowned humanitarian organisations, such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 18 September 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson visits Somalia Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is visiting the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, today.

In Mogadishu Ms Carlsson will have talks with the new Somali leadership, President Hassan Sheik Mohamud and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari. Since Ms Carlsson's visit to Somalia in August 2011, the country's reform process has been high on the political agenda of both the Swedish Government and the international community. Ms Carlsson is now making a follow-up visit to Mogadishu for political dialogue and discussions on the possibilities offered by the new political landscape in the country for Sweden and the EU to increase their engagement in Somalia.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 17 September 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson visits Kenya

Today, Monday 17 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is in Nairobi, Kenya, for talks with representatives of the Kenyan Government. Items on the agenda include preparations for the general election in March 2013 and Kenya's important role for peace, security and economic development in the region.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 01 August 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to develop UN's future development goals Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson has been appointed by Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon to an international High-level Panel tasked with preparing the future global development goals.

The Panel will be co-chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia.

The Panel is required to submit its report by June 2013. The UN General Assembly will discuss the report in September 2013.

At the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, world leaders agreed on a special Millennium Declaration and specific development goals (MDGs) for the world to achieve by 2015. The newly appointed Panel is to draw conclusions concerning these goals and the results achieved, and on the basis of current challenges propose new global development goals.

Sweden will also work with Botswana in leading a special initiative on the health-related Millennium Development Goals, which will serve as input to the Panel's overall work.

About the Millennium Development Goals Although progress has been made and several MDGs are expected to be achieved at global level, the goals in their entirety will not be achieved by 2015. Aggregate positive trends also conceal large differences within countries and between different income groups. The poorest and most marginalised because of gender, age, disability and ethnicity often belong to the groups whose development has been weakest.

The target of halving world poverty will be achieved by 2015. Poverty reduction has mainly occurred in East and Southeast Asia, particularly China. By contrast, in sub-Saharan Africa, conflict countries and fragile states poverty reduction has been weaker. The forecast indicates that 15 per cent of the world's population will be living below the poverty line in 2015.

The target of full employment and decent work will not be achieved, due to the financial crisis and growing populations. Neither will the goal to promote gender equality and empower women be achieved. However, the gap between girls and boys and between men and women is declining in terms of access to education, seats in parliament, and to some extent also with regard to employment outside the agricultural sector.

The target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds may be achieved but greater efforts over the next few years will be required. Every year 7.6 million children under the age of five die of preventable causes. Regarding the target of reducing maternal mortality, progress has been made, but in low income countries pregnancy still entails substantial risk to a woman's life. Access to reproductive health services has increased but there is still a lack of contraception and antenatal care.

No progress has been made in achieving the goal of ensuring environmental sustainability with regard to the longer-term aspects (ecosystems, CO2, etc.). On the other hand, the target of halving the number of people worldwide without access to drinking water has been reached although ten per cent will still not have access by 2015. Sanitation needs are still substantial and the target will not be reached. The number of people living in slum areas has increased.

In summary, the latest MDG report from the UN Secretary General indicates that development has been strongest in countries that have experienced continued economic growth and undertaken targeted efforts in critical areas. However, development successes have been fewer in the areas requiring structural changes and strong political commitment to ensure sustainable financial support over a longer period of time. This probably explains the relatively weak progress towards the targets relating to maternal mortality and access to sanitation.

In addition, new challenges have arisen since 2000 and old ones have been intensified. These include growing inequalities, demographic changes, urbanisation and growing slums, fragile states, food security, access to energy and environmental issues.

Press release 10 July 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to attend family planning summit in London On 11 July 2012 the UK Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with UNFPA and other partners will host the London Summit on Family Planning. Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will attend and give a talk on women's rights and the need for greater access to contraceptives.

The summit aims to help 120 million more women in the poorest countries gain access to family planning by 2020. Estimates indicate that this would result in more than 200,000 fewer women and girls dying in pregnancy and childbirth and nearly 3 million fewer infants dying in their first year of life.

For a number of years, Sweden has made women's health and in particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) a priority issue. Sweden has also increased its support to UNFPA (the UN agency working on these issues) and is now the largest donor.

The Government has also increased its support to women's and children's health (Millennium Development Goals 4 & 5) and aims to increase it further. Some of this support will go towards improving access to contraceptives and SRHR.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 28 June 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Employment Popular website on human rights relaunched The website www.humanrights.gov.se was relaunched today. Since it was created 10 years ago, the website has become a well-visited platform for information about human rights and what the Government is doing nationally and internationally. New features on the website include clearer access to facts, information about what to do if your rights have been violated and a world map containing links to country-specific human rights reports.

The Government's human rights website is a tool to promote the dissemination of knowledge and information about human rights in accordance with our convention commitments. Sweden has also been commended for the website in a review by international mechanisms for the protection of human rights. External links The Swedish Government's The number of visitors to the website is increasing steadily. There are on average some 32 000 visitors every human rights website month, and some months this number exceeds 45 000. During the past year, the website's information pages have been viewed almost one million times. This confirms the huge interest in information about human rights.

- More knowledge and accessible information about human rights is a prerequisite for the promotion and protection of these rights in Sweden. The Government's human rights website is an important tool in this work, says Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag, who is responsible for the Government's national efforts on human rights.

- To be able to influence the world around us, we must both be aware of what is happening and why. In this respect, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs human rights reports and the Government's human rights website have an incredibly important function. Openness and free access to information are two of the most important tools in the work to highlight and fight shortcomings in the respect for human rights, says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Background The website is a joint project between the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which are responsible for the national and international policies for human rights respectively. In addition to reports on human rights in the countries of the world, the website includes information about the conventions ratified by Sweden, recommendations from the monitoring committees of the conventions and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in cases against Sweden. The target groups for the website are schools, government agencies, journalists, civil society and the interested public. A development project took place during the spring to review the information structure and content, and to redesign the website.

Press release 28 June 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Bildt and Carlsson present reports on human rights situation in EU neighbourhood countries Today Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will present 44 new human rights reports.

The reports concern the EU neighbourhood countries - Eastern Europe and the Balkans, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. These are important countries for Sweden and the EU. They are also countries that have undergone rapid, and often dramatic, development in 2011, and where there has been a great External links demand for up-to-date information. The Swedish Government's human rights website - For us, these reports are a way of sharing the knowledge of the Swedish Foreign Service and at the same time clarifying our policies, our desire for dialogue and our strong commitment to human rights in the world, says Mr Bildt.

This year marks ten years since the Ministry for Foreign Affairs first published reports on the human rights situation in countries around the world. The reports reflect the Government's ambition to integrate human rights into all areas of foreign policy.

- The Government's human rights work involves promoting the most fundamental values of our own country and stressing that these rights apply to people everywhere. We must constantly uphold the protection of human dignity and the integrity, freedom and inviolability of the individual, says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden is, and will always be, a clear voice for human rights in the world. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs works through bilateral contacts, through the EU, and multilaterally through the UN, OSCE, EU and the Council of Europe to promote full respect for human rights in all the countries around the world.

All the new reports, and reports from other countries, are on the Government's human rights website: www.manskligarattigheter.se

Press release 19 June 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Concers for the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sweden is deeply concerned about the recent serious deterioration of the security situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 200 000 civilians are estimated to have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of April as a result of fighting between armed groups and the country's army.

In total, there are more than 2.1 million internally displaced people in the country who have significant and acute humanitarian needs. The possibilities of reaching them with aid consignments are however seriously limited.

"As a representative of one of the largest humanitarian aid donors to the hard-hit Congolese population, I urge more humanitarian donors to take their responsibility for those affected," says Gunilla Carlsson.

Sweden has long been significantly involvement in promoting development and security in DR Congo, and alleviating the previously significant humanitarian needs. In 2012 alone, Sweden has contributed more than SEK 230 million for humanitarian operations in the country.

Sweden condemns all crimes against humanitarian law and other actions that affect civilians in DR Congo, and stands by its strong commitment to bring all perpetrators of such crimes to justice. We support the establishment of the Congolese government's authority over its own territory, which is in the interest of the entire region, and urge renewed positive efforts to this end by all neighbouring countries.

Sweden also expresses its strong support for the UN peace-keeping mission in DR Congo, MONUSCO, and particularly its active measures to help the Congolese government protect the civilian population afflicted and ensure that humanitarian actors can reach them. These viewpoints were also presented to Fidele Sarassoro, deputy head of MONUSCO and UN humanitarian coordinator in DR Congo, during his visit to Stockholm on 7 June.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 13 June 2012 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Environment UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for the Environment Lena Ek will be representing Sweden at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) on 20-22 June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aim of the conference is to discuss what needs to be done to ensure that the world moves towards more sustainable development. This requires joint action and commitments in three areas in particular: economic development, social development and environmental protection. In addition, democracy and respect for Related human rights are prerequisites for sustainable development. More about Rio+20 and Sweden's participation The UN has organised conferences on the theme of sustainable development every ten years since 1972, when the first was held in Stockholm. Rio+20 will be the fifth and is expected to gather almost 50 000 representatives of governments, parliaments, cities, civil society, multilateral organisations and the business community.

The Swedish delegation will comprise representatives of the government, the Riksdag, civil society and business, as well as youth representatives.

Follow the Swedish Rio+20 delegation on Twitter @SweMFA and #SweRio20.

Contact Roberta Alenius Presschef hos Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 49 04 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Erik Bratthall Press Secretary +46 8 405 10 00 +46 72 743 31 57 email to Erik Bratthall

Press release 11 June 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation visits Washington DC Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Washington DC on 11-12 June 2012. During her visit Ms Carlsson will take part in the launch of the Grand Challenges for Development Initiative which is being jointly conducted by the USA and Sweden.

The initiative aims to find innovative solutions to the food and energy crises in developing countries by challenging innovators in the business sector and civil society to present new ideas on how agriculture can gain access to clean, modern energy.

During her trip Ms Carlsson will also sign a partnership agreement with the USA aimed at developing cooperation between the countries regarding the rights of LGBT people. The partnership will be headed by the two countries' development assistance agencies and involve actors from both civil society and the private sector.

While in Washington, Ms Carlsson will also have meetings with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 27 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Palestine, Israel and Jordan Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is to visit Palestine, Israel and Jordan on 27-30 May. The purpose of the trip is to follow up on Swedish development assistance to the region and evaluate how Swedish development work can be put to best use, among other things ahead of the creation of a new cooperation strategy for Palestine.

Ms Carlsson will hold talks with official Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian representatives, including the Palestinian Prime Minister and the Jordanian Foreign Minister. She will also meet representatives of civil society in Palestine and Jordan.

A series of meetings with representatives of various EU and UN bodies will also be held for discussions on aid coordination and challenges and opportunities in the region. In Jordan, Ms Carlsson will discuss the Syrian refugee issue and visit a refugee camp close to the Syrian border.

Background The Arab Spring and its demands for democracy, political freedom and human rights have changed the political context in the Middle East. Sweden has deeply rooted involvement in the region and is a significant aid actor. In February 2012, the Government decided to increase the support given to efforts in the region. SEK 350 million has been set aside for aid initiatives within the framework of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) strategy.

Support to the Palestinians amounts to around SEK 700 million in 2012, and during the year a new cooperation strategy for Palestine is being developed. This support is intended to promote Palestinian state-building and alleviate the humanitarian consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 11 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry for Rural Affairs Fairer conditions for the world's farmers The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) today endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests. The CFS is a joint committee consisting of UN bodies and civil society.

The Guidelines were produced with the help of representatives of several countries, the business sector and civil society. They provide guidance to states and national authorities that manage and use land, fisheries and forests. In the longer term they are meant to contribute to achieving food security and reducing poverty. External links From a Swedish perspective, it is hoped that the Guidelines will improve famers', and particularly women's, rights of ownership and use of land, and that natural resources are used in a more sustainable manner. FAO Voluntary Guidelines

"Responsible governance of land issues is, in itself, extremely important to poverty-oriented economic growth in many developing countries where many poor people are dependent on using natural resources to make a living. Land issues are key to being able to promote responsible investments - investments that are very important for many developing countries to be able to increase their agricultural production and ensure sustainable food supplies," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

"The strength of the Voluntary Guidelines is that they are based on rights and highlight issues important to Sweden, such as rights of ownership and use. This particularly applies to women, who are often the ones who work the land. These issues are important, not least as regards justice, access to food and jobs that provide a chance to break out of poverty," says Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson.

Contact André Mkandawire Acting Press Secretary to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8 405 59 39 +46 704 06 14 10 Anna-Karin Nyman Press Secretary to Eskil Erlandsson

Press release 11 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Gunilla Carlsson to Foreign Affairs Council meetings in Brussels On Monday 14 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will participate in the EU foreign ministers meeting and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will participate in the development ministers meeting, being held in Brussels.

The agenda includes the EU's continued involvement in and support to Afghanistan; the peace process in the Middle East and how the EU can best contribute to concrete improvements on the ground, particularly in the Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank; future action by the EU in relation to Syria; developments in Ukraine and the potential for the EU to influence the country; the EU's updated development assistance policy, including consensus on development and the EU's future management of budget support; and Rio+20, which will be discussed from the development policy perspective.

Press conferences: Press conferences will take place at the conclusion of the meeting, at approximately 16.00, in the Swedish press centre in the Council building.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 André Mkandawire Acting Press Secretary to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8 405 59 39 +46 704 06 14 10

Press release 09 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Focus on health issues as Gunilla Carlsson visits Geneva Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson travels to Geneva on Thursday 9 May to meet representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), the Global Fund and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Despite progress in global health over the past 30 years, 20 000 children still die every day and more than 350 000 women die each year in connection with pregnancy. The Government is therefore giving special support to efforts to reduce infant and maternal mortality in poor countries - issues that are in focus during Ms Carlsson's visit to Geneva.

"I am convinced that by increased cooperation and a focus on concrete results for individual people in the poorest countries we can save the lives of tens of thousands more women and children every year," says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden contributes approximately SEK 4 billion per year - around 15 per cent of the total aid budget - to improved health worldwide. Sweden's contributions to WHO, UNAIDS, GAVI and the Global Fund amounted to almost SEK 1.3 billion in 2011.

Contact André Mkandawire Acting Press Secretary to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8 405 59 39 +46 704 06 14 10

Press release 25 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation visits Östergötland

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Bergska skolan in Finspång and Hagagymnasiet in Norrköping on Friday 27 April. She will speak to upper secondary school pupils about sustainable development, how Sweden can assist in resolving global environmental and poverty-related Related problems, and Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. Read more about Rio+20 Ahead of Rio+20, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson has announced an essay contest for upper secondary school pupils in Sweden. The winner of the contest will accompany Ms Carlsson to Rio+20 in June. For more information see www.ud.se/rio+20.

Gunilla Carlsson will also participate in a fundraising project, Bullhjälpen, at Bergvallaskolan in Borensberg.

Time and place Bergska skolan Time: Friday 27 April, 10.30 Place: Ekmans väg 12, Finspång

Hagagymnasiet Time: Friday 27 April, 13.15 Place: Hagagatan 36, Norrköping

Bergvallaskolan's Bullhjälpen Time: Friday 27 April, 16.00 Place: Borensberg town centre, Borensberg

The media are welcome at all the events.

Contact Daniel Emilsson Press secretary to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 19 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson welcome appointment of Maria Leissner Sweden's Ambassador for Democracy Maria Leissner has been chosen as the new Secretary-General of the Community of Democracies, a worldwide network of democratic states.

In recent years Sweden, through Maria Leissner, has led a successful reform of the Community of Democracies, which has been transformed from a forum in which democracies meet into an operational hub for supporting global democratic development.

Among recent initiatives, the Community of Democracies has developed an early warning system for restrictive legislation affecting civil society, coordinated support for new democracies and strengthened the voice of democratic states in multilateral organisations.

"We are pleased about the appointment of Maria Leissner as Secretary-General of the Community of Democracies. Maria is already doing a fantastic job in the service of democracy and we will continue to give her our full support," say Mr Bildt and Ms Carlsson in a joint comment.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 18 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications Carl Bildt, Gunilla Carlsson and Anna-Karin Hatt attend international Internet conference On Wednesday 18 April Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Information Technology Anna-Karin Hatt will take part in the international Internet conference Stockholm Internet Forum on Internet Freedom for Global Development at Radisson Blu Park Hotel in Solna, just north of Stockholm.

The two-day Stockholm Internet Forum on 18-19 April will gather 350 knowledgeable and committed decision-makers, activists, and representatives from civil society, the business sector and the tech community to take part in discussions on Internet freedom. The conference aims to deepen the discussions on how External links freedom and openness on the Internet promote economic and social development worldwide. Stockholm Internet Forums website Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson Stockholm Internet Forum on and Minister for Information Technology Anna-Karin Hatt will each deliver a speech. Discussions from seven Twitter sessions form the main structure of the programme. Prominent participants include Frank La Rue, UN Special Freedom on the Internet on Rapporteur on freedom of expression; Alec J Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State MFA's website Hillary Clinton; Rebecca MacKinnon, one of the founders of Global Voices Online; Nicklas Lundblad, policy geek at Google; Suneet Singh, CEO of DataWind, which has launched the budget tablet Aakash; and Måns Adler, founder of the company and Internet service Bambuser for live broadcast of mobile phone videos.

Many international fora deal with the Internet. It is hoped that Stockholm Internet Forum - which specifically deals with freedom on the Internet linked to global development - can feed more energy into international efforts for freedom on the Internet.

Stockholm Internet Forum online Stockholm Internet Forum will be broadcast live in its entirety on the Forum website. It is also possible to interact with the conference via Twitter at #fxinternet och #sif12.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Jonas Johansson Press Secretary to Anna-Karin Hatt +46 8 405 24 11 +46 72 208 22 71 email to Jonas Johansson

Press release 13 April 2012 Ministry of the Environment Ministry for Foreign Affairs Reminder - Invitation to media accreditation. Stockholm+40. An international environmental conference on sustainable development ahead of R On 23-25 April 2012, the Swedish Government will host Stockholm+40 - Partnership Forum for Sustainable Development. The conference is being organised to commemorate the first UN global conference on the human environment, held in Stockholm in 1972. And as a final informal ministerial meeting ahead of the UN Summit Rio+20 in June.

Time and place Related Time: 23-25 April 2012 Stockholm+40 - international Place: Stockholm, Münchenbryggeriet and Gamla Riksdagshuset. conference

In addition to Minister for the Environment Lena Ek and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling, the minister responsible for consumer affairs Birgitta Ohlsson and Minister for Information Technology and Energy Anna-Karin Hatt will take part in the External links conference. The conference will be opened by HM Carl XVI Gustaf. The conference is open to the media. To apply for accreditation (the accreditation will be "Sustainable development can only become a reality if we succeed in involving the people most closely closed april 17th, 9 am) concerned in the decision-making process. At Stockholm+40 we are therefore bringing together decision- makers and international actors from the business sector and civil society, researchers and young people with a view to building up an inclusive picture of what we can do to achieve sustainable development," says Minister for the Environment Lena Ek.

The conference has three main themes: sustainable innovations, sustainable production and sustainable living. The themes will be developed and discussed in open seminars and panel debates.

"Stockholm+40 is a very important platform in preparations for Rio+20, the UN conference on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro in June. Our discussions and conclusions in Stockholm may be crucial in determining whether or not Rio+20 is a success," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Around 30 ministers and senior UN officials will participate in the conference. Participating decision-makers, business representatives and researchers include:

- Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey, author of the book Prosperity without Growth. - Sha Zukang, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary- General of Rio+20 - Rebeca Grynspan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations - Huang Ming, Right Livelihood Award winner and founder of Solar Valley in Dezhou, China (Solar power for sustainable cities) - Olof Persson, CEO Volvo Group - Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO Infosys Technologies Group - Esther Kelechi Agbarakwe, young climate champion, Population and Climate, Nigeria

Contact Erik Bratthall Press Secretary +46 8 405 10 00 +46 72 743 31 57 email to Erik Bratthall Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 05 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish ODA highest in world in 2011 Sweden tops the list of the world's largest aid donors in 2011, measured as a proportion of GNI. Newly released statistics from the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) also show that the economic crisis caused a decline in global aid volumes in 2011.

"Sweden coped well with the economic downturn and, unlike many other countries, was able to maintain a high level of aid to poor countries," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. "I will continue to streamline Swedish aid to ensure that our contributions really produce results. External links The fact that global aid levels are now decreasing makes it even more important that aid is distributed in an intelligent manner and is based on what is useful. My hope is that the pledges concerning outcomes, OECD report on aid volumes accountability and transparency that the international community made at the High Level Forum on Aid 2011 Effectiveness in Busan in 2011 really have an impact. This is necessary if we are to achieve the UN Millennium Detailed information on Development Goals by 2015." Swedish aid contributions in 2011 Preliminary statistics from the OECD/DAC show that DAC member countries reduced their ODA by some 3 per cent in 2011. This broke a trend and marks the first time in 14 years that the total level of aid is decreasing rather than increasing. One example of this is that bilateral aid to the least-developed countries decreased by some 9 per cent, according to the DAC.

The reduction in aid volumes can be explained by the global economic downturn, which put increased pressure on the state budgets of many traditional aid donors. Of the 23 OECD/DAC member countries, 16 of them decreased their ODA. At the same time, an increase of official development assistance (ODA) was generally noted among several other countries, such as Turkey (which increased its ODA by 38 per cent), Estonia (21 per cent) and Hungary (16 per cent). On average, ODA from EU Member States decreased by some 3 per cent.

In 2011, Swedish ODA amounted to some SEK 36 billion, which corresponds to 1.02 per cent of gross national income (GNI). According to OECD/DAC statistics, this means that Sweden tops the list of the world's largest aid donors, measured as a proportion of GNI, closely followed by Norway (1.0 per cent of GNI) and Luxembourg (0.99 per cent of GNI). The countries with the largest aid volumes in 2011 were the USA, Germany and the UK.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 04 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to meet the three candidates to head the World Bank Today, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, in her capacity as Sweden's Alternate Governor of the World Bank, will participate in an informal meeting with the candidates nominated for the position of President of the World Bank, succeeding Robert B. Zoellick, who will step down on 30 June 2012.

At the meeting, which will take place in Brussels, the three candidates, Jim Yong Kim (United States), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) and José Antonio Ocampo (Colombia), will meet representatives of the EU countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

The informal meeting will give Ms Carlsson an opportunity to question the candidates about their position on Sweden's priorities and the visions they have for the Bank's future role in international development cooperation.

The new president is expected to be named in connection with the World Bank Spring Meeting on 20-21 April 2012.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 02 April 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Government decides on review of Swedish civil society organisations

The Government has instructed the Swedish Agency for Public Management to review the framework agreement system. The objective is to examine the suitability of the long - term framework agreements Sida has entered into with a number of Swedish civil society organisations. Issues including effectiveness, transparency and diversity will be illuminated. Forms for the possibility of new actors to enter into framework agreements with Sida, follow - up and control will receive particular attention, as well as whether the level of self - financing affects the organisation's quality and results. The assignment is to be reported by February 2013 at the latest.

"Swedish civil society organisations play an important role in development assistance. It will be exciting to see the findings of the Swedish Agency for Public Management since a comprehensive review of this type has never been conducted before. I want to know what improvements can be made," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson in a comment about the decision.

As far back as the close of the 1970s, Sida started signing multi - annual framework agreements with a number of larger Swedish civil society organisations, including the Swedish Cooperative Centre, Save the Children Sweden, Plan Sverige, the Church of Sweden, the Olof Palme International Centre and Diakonia. These framework agreements were entered into to tighten up forms of cooperation between government agencies and organisations in an attempt to better manage the growing volumes of support flowing to Swedish civil society organisations.

Over the past years, more than one third of the development assistance from Sida has gone to and through Swedish and foreign civil society organisations.

"The Government has instructed Sida to this year increase its support to vulnerable civil society organisations and their possibilities to continue their work, particularly regarding the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association", says Gunilla Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 23 March 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Coffee meeting for the press with Minister for International Development Cooperation on the humanitarian situation in Syria

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is inviting the press to a coffee meeting on Monday 26 March to talk about the humanitarian situation in Syria and neighbouring countries, and about Swedish involvement in the region.

The Minister for International Development Cooperation is currently in Turkey, where her programme includes meeting representatives of the Syrian opposition.

Time and place Time: Monday 26 March at 11.00 Place: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Gustav Adolfs Torg 1

We look forward to seeing you.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 20 March 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Turkey for talks with Government and Syrian opposition Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Turkey on 21-23 March for discussions on how Turkey, as an influential regional actor and aid donor, can cooperate and exchange experience with Sweden. The talks will also focus on Sweden's support to Turkey's EU membership negotiations.

Ms Carlsson will make a public appearance at Istanbul Bilgi University, together with Turkish Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis.

In addition, Ms Carlsson will meet representatives of the Syrian opposition in Istanbul and take part in the Global Human Development Forum - a conference organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with Turkey.

Talks will be held with Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis, Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin and Minister of Family and Social Politics Fatma Sahin, as well as with the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA).

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 15 February 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Reminder: Carl Bildt to present Statement of Foreign Policy What will Sweden's foreign policy be in the year ahead? On Wednesday 15 February, the annual foreign policy debate will be held in the Riksdag, opening with the Statement of Foreign Policy presented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

Time and place External links Time of press conference: Wednesday 15 February at approximately 11.00 (after the debate) The Riksdag web site Place: Riksdag Press Centre, Stockholm @fragaCarlBildt on Twitter

Sweden's view of EU developments, the status of human rights, international crises and developments in the Middle East and North Africa are some of the subjects that will be raised in the Statement of Foreign Policy, along with development assistance, trade and climate policy. The Statement is both an annual report from the Government and a presentation of visions for the coming year.

Press conference At approximately 11.00 on Wednesday 15 February (after the debate), Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet the press at the Riksdag Press Centre.

Statement of Foreign Policy From 09.00 on Wednesday, when the speech in the Riksdag begins, the Statement of Foreign Policy will also be available to read or download as a PDF on www.ud.se. No printed copies will be distributed.

Twitter with Carl Bildt Between 12.45 and 13.15, for the first time ever, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will participate in a question- and-answer session on Twitter. Questions can be put directly to Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt on the newly started Twitter account @fragaCarlBildt. He will answer as many questions as he can during the half- hour session.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00

Press release 13 February 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt to present Statement of Foreign Policy What will Sweden's foreign policy be in the year ahead? On Wednesday 15 February, the annual foreign policy debate will be held in the Riksdag, opening with the Statement of Foreign Policy presented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

Time and place External links Time of press conference: Wednesday 15 February at approximately 11.00 (after the debate) The Riksdag web site Place: Riksdag Press Centre, Stockholm @fragaCarlBildt on Twitter

Sweden's view of EU developments, the status of human rights, international crises and developments in the Middle East and North Africa are some of the subjects that will be raised in the Statement of Foreign Policy, along with development assistance, trade and climate policy. The Statement is both an annual report from the Government and a presentation of visions for the coming year.

Press conference At approximately 11.00 on Wednesday 15 February (after the debate), Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet the press at the Riksdag Press Centre.

Statement of Foreign Policy From 09.00 on Wednesday, when the speech in the Riksdag begins, the Statement of Foreign Policy will also be available to read or download as a PDF on www.ud.se. No printed copies will be distributed.

Twitter with Carl Bildt Between 12.45 and 13.15, for the first time ever, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will participate in a question- and-answer session on Twitter. Questions can be put directly to Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt on the newly started Twitter account @fragaCarlBildt. He will answer as many questions as he can during the half- hour session.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00

Press release 30 January 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Finance Anders Borg and Gunilla Carlsson present this year' World Bank report on gender equality as smart economics Swedish launch of World Bank report on gender equality as a pre-condition for reducing poverty and increasing growth.

On 31 January, Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson are to present the World Development Report 2012 in Stockholm, together with the report' principle author, Dr Ana Revenga (World Bank). The focus of the report is gender equality and development, External links which is one of the Government' prioritised areas for Sweden's development cooperation. A link to an overview of the report can be found

Time and place Tuesday 31 January at 12.30 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press Centre, Fredsgatan 6

Contact Daniel Valiollahi Press Secretary +46 8 405 10 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 23 January 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Meeting of Nordic development ministers in Helsinki On Monday 23 January, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is meeting her colleagues from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway. The meeting will be hosted by Finland's Minister for International Development, Heidi Hautala.

The agenda includes a follow-up of the High Level Forum on Aid¬ Effectiveness in Busan, where Sweden made an active contribution to the countries of the world agreeing on an international commitment in the areas of transparency, accountability and results. The ministers will also discuss the first Rio+20 meeting on sustainable development, where Sweden has high ambitions. Ms Carlsson has also requested a discussion on humanitarian issues with a special focus on the Horn of Africa.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 13 January 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to attend Society and Defence conference in Sälen On Tuesday 17 January, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will address the Society and Defence conference in Sälen with a speech entitled 'Hope, struggle and change in the Freedom Crescent'.

Ms Carlsson will also participate in a subsequent discussion on developments in the Middle East together with the Egyptian Ambassador.

Times: 12.15 Press conference 13.00 Speech 14.00 Discussion together with the Egyptian Ambassador

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham 2011

Press release 12 December 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to final meeting of Ban Ki - moon's sustainability panel On 13-14 December, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the final meeting of the High - level Panel on Global Sustainability, appointed by UN Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon, in New York.

The task of the Panel is to formulate a new vision for sustainable development. The purpose of the meeting is to agree on practical recommendations to governments, companies, civil society and international organisations on how to achieve sustainable development.

The Panel will deliver its final report with recommendations to the Secretary - General on 12 January 2012. The report is expected to provide important input to the preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio 2012).

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 07 December 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs UN humanitarian head to visit Sweden On Friday 9 December, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will receive Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Time and place External links Time: Friday 9 December at 10.30. More information on the Place: Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Sverigesalen, Drottning Kristinas väg 37, Stockholm seminar can be found on the Swedish Institute of Media representatives are welcome. International Affairs website

Ms Amos and Ms Carlsson will participate in a seminar at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs under the heading 'The Horn of Africa: Humanitarian Situation and International Coordination'.

Sweden is the second-largest donor to the OCHA, after the UK, and contributes some SEK 250 million annually to the organisation.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 06 December 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Finnish scientist receives Swedish Baltic Sea Award On Monday 5 December Dr Jorma Kämäräinen will receive the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award 2011. Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will present the award at a ceremony at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

This year's prize is awarded to Dr Jorma Kämäräinen for his untiring efforts to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from pollutants and discharges from vessels. Thanks to his efforts, discharges and pollutants have been significantly limited or prohibited. The jury would particularly like to highlight the work of Dr Kämäräinen that has led to the Baltic Sea being classified as a 'Particularly Sensitive Sea Area' by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The award was established by the Swedish Government in 1999 to recognise direct and practical initiatives that help improve water quality in the Baltic Sea. It is intended primarily to recognise innovations and new methods in promoting a cleaner Baltic Sea environment. It can be awarded to individuals, companies, organisations and public services. The winner is chosen by a jury headed by Director - General Lars - Erik Liljelund and appointed by the Government.

The prize consists of a crystal sculpture and SEK 250 000.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Pressmeddelande 28 november 2011 Utrikesdepartementet Biståndsminister Gunilla Carlsson till Burma Den 28-29 november besöker biståndsminister Gunilla Carlsson Burma. Syftet med resan är att träffa ministrar, Aung San Suu Kyi och andra oppositionsföreträdare och civilsamhället, för att kunna utvärdera utvecklingen i landet. Biståndsministern kommer också att besöka ett svenskfinansierat projekt på hälsoområdet.

- Positiva steg mot en reformprocess har till synes tagits i Burma. Förhoppningsvis leder detta till ökad demokratisering och respekt för mänskliga rättigheter. Jag vill samla intryck på plats i landet och bilda mig en uppfattning om en reformprocess är på gång. Jag kommer att diskutera de reformlöften som givits med Relaterat företrädare för regimen, men också lyssna till hur oppositionen och civilsamhället uppfattar den nya regimen och hur de anser omvärlden bör agera. Det är angeläget att uppmuntra genomförandet av de utfästelser som Läs mer om Sveriges särskilt presidenten gjort, men också viktigt att inte glömma bort de omfattande missförhållanden som förbindelser med Burma kvarstår i landet vad gäller bland annat mänskliga rättigheter. Frisläppande av alla politiska fångar och försök att lösa de etniska konflikterna är nödvändiga, säger Gunilla Carlsson.

Biståndsministern kommer inleda sitt besök i huvudstaden Naypyidaw för att sedan resa till Rangoon där biståndsministern bland annat besöker ett svenskfinansierat projekt som arbetar mot HIV/Aids. Biståndsministern kommer också ha möte med FN:s företrädare i Rangoon. Ett inslag i besöket blir uppföljning av det svenska katastrofbiståndet efter orkanen Nargis 2008.

Kontakt Sebastian Tham Pressekreterare hos biståndsministern 072-212 74 72 e-post till Sebastian Tham

Press release 28 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to High Level Forum in Busan, South Korea The Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness begins today in Busan, South Korea. The meeting will address two main issues. How can traditional aid become more effective when global aid is becoming increasingly fragmented? And how can aid generate added value through collaboration with the business sector and other actors?

Sweden considers that the areas of transparency, accountability and results have received too little attention in the implementation of aid. Sweden has therefore promoted these issues ahead of Busan, both as objectives in themselves and as prerequisites for other parts of the aid effectiveness agenda. The catalytic role of aid and collaboration with other actors, such as the business sector, are also a priority issue for Sweden ahead of Busan. Sweden is thus working to ensure that the High Level Forum results in an international commitment to shift the focus of the aid effectiveness agenda towards the areas transparency, accountability and results.

The meeting in Busan is expected to bring together participants from partner countries and donor countries, and representatives of the UN, the World Bank and global funds. Representatives will also be present from civil society organisations, the business sector and parliaments. Many countries that have previously been recipients of aid but that are now contributing both investments and aid will also be represented, such as South Africa, Brazil and China. Under the leadership of Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Sweden will be participating with a delegation of 18 people, including representatives of civil society, the Riksdag, the business sector, Sida and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 24 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden increases its civilian aid to Afghanistan The Government today adopted a revised and extended cooperation strategy for Swedish aid to Afghanistan. This is an important part of the gradual transition from military to increased civilian involvement. Sweden will increase its aid to northern Afghanistan, strengthen support to civil society in Afghanistan and intensify efforts to fight corruption.

Aid will gradually increase from some SEK 520 million in 2011 to some SEK 620 million in 2014. Aid will remain focused on strengthening the capacity of the Afghan state, promoting democracy and human rights,and giving more children the chance to attend school. In particular, efforts will focus on strengthening the role and rights of women, children and young people.

Work on revising the strategy was preceded by close dialogue with the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, based on the agreement covering the overall Afghanistan operation. In 2011, Swedish aid to Afghanistan amounts to a total of about SEK 900 million, of which almost SEK 180 million goes to humanitarian operations and some SEK 200 is channelled through multilateral organisations such as the UN. Funds are also given to the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL).

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 17 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden's assessment of multilateral organisations Sweden's 2011 assessments of multilateral organisations will be published today. This year, four organisations have been assessed: The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The assessments are a key tool in strengthening Sweden's involvement in multilateral organisations. They are also part of the Government's efforts to more clearly show the results of our international development cooperation. Related Publication: Summary Swedish assessments of Relevant organisations with growing effectiveness multilateral organisations 2011 All four organisations are considered to be very relevant to Sweden's development cooperation and humanitarian efforts. They have important mandates, clear roles among international organisations and are highly focused on contributing to the Millennium Development Goals. In general, the internal efficiency of all four organisations is considered high. Several of the organisations have introduced new reforms and reorganisations to achieve better efficiency, as well as improved results-based management systems. As regards the results and effects that have actually been achieved, all organisations are assessed fairly highly.

How the assessments are used Together with other factors, such as political priorities, the assessments help guide Swedish grant decisions to the organisations. The assessments are used to make Sweden's work with the organisations more strategic and goal-oriented so that the organisations' work is strengthened and their activities are as effective as possible in helping lift countries and people out of poverty.

In 2008, assessments of 23 organisations were conducted. Since then, some five organisations are assessed annually.

Contact Sofia Östmark Department for Multilateral Development Cooperation + 46 (0)8 405 26 59

Press release 11 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs EU development ministers meet in Brussels On Monday 14 November, EU development ministers will meet in the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. At the meeting, the ministers will discuss two communications that the Commission has launched: An Agenda for Change, which is a proposal for the direction of EU development policy, and The future approach to EU budget support to third countries, which sets out a new policy for the Commission's budget support and proposes how the EU can achieve a coordinated approach to budget support in development initiatives.

In addition, EU development ministers will discuss the EU's common position ahead of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness due to take place in Busan from 29 November to 1 December 2011. The ministers will adopt Council conclusions stating that in Busan the EU is to promote and support specific initiatives in several areas, including an EU transparency guarantee, stricter accountability requirements, and measurement and presentation of sustainable results and deeper commitment between private and state actors.

As the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa remains very serious, ministers will also discuss this situation and how the countries in the region can become better at building a bridge between the the humanitarian phase and long-term development, and how to build resilient societies to avoid similar crises in future.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 10 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden best in the world at supporting poor countries According to the American think tank Center for Global Development Swedenis best in the world at helping poor countries. Sweden's development cooperation is world-class both in terms of quantity and quality.

In its annual Commitment to Development Index (CDI) the Center for Global Development ranks the world's 22 wealthiest countries on the basis of their support for policy that helps poor countries. The CDI measures efforts in seven policy areas of importance to developing countries: aid, trade, investment, migration, External links environment, security and technology. Sweden ranks first overall this year and places in the top half of CDI countries in six out of seven areas. Sweden's score for aid is the highest since the CDI was launched in 2003. 2011 Commitment to Development Index "In a globalised world more than traditional aid is needed to lift people out of poverty. The CDI builds on this and I see Sweden's score as confirmation that our work to make Swedish development cooperation relevant, effective and realistic has brought results," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 10 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Continued Swedish ISAF participation in Afghanistan The Government today decided to present a Bill to the Riksdag on continued Swedish participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). The Government is seeking the approval of the Riksdag for an extended mandate until the end of December 2012. It is proposed that the planned Swedish military operation on the ground in Afghanistan consist of approximately 500 people during most of 2012. However, by the end of 2012 the Swedish military operation is to be reduced by approximately 100 people, to approximately 400 people on the ground in Afghanistan.

The Bill also describes Sweden's extensive and increasing civilian support to Afghanistan, as well as arrangements for the transfer of all Swedish operations in northern Afghanistan to civilian leadership, which will take place during the spring. Civilian and military roles will be both more clearly separated and more clearly coordinated. The main purpose of both is to support the Afghan authorities and institution-building. The Government is presenting the Bill following discussions with the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party.

Common agreement "In accordance with the agreement reached last autumn between the Government, the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, a gradual reduction of the Swedish military presence will take place - beginning in 2012 - while giving Swedish involvement an increased civilian focus," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

"The gradual change from combat troops to supportive security measures that has been implemented in the last few years will continue. In 2013, continued adaptation of the contribution's numerical strength and focus will take place. The approach is that Sweden, from summer 2014 onwards, if so requested, will contribute in the form of a purely training operation comprising 200 people, including instructors and the security and support functions the training operation requires. Other military operations will then have been concluded," explains Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors.

From military to civilian leadership During the first half of 2012, a transfer of all Swedish operations in northern Afghanistan to civilian leadership will take place. Sweden will continue to support the various civilian operations in Afghanistan, with a certain increased emphasis on the northern parts of the country. The Swedish-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e-Sharif will be replaced with a new civilian-led structure in 2012.

The Afghan government and the international community have agreed that by the end of 2014 Afghanistan will have assumed the main responsibility for the country's security, development and governance. The international community's military support will gradually be replaced by increased civilian support.

The transition in Afghanistan began in summer 2011, in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, among other places. The second phase of transition will begin at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. In all likelihood, the transition process will have begun in all four provinces of the Swedish-Finnish area of responsibility, PRT Mazar-e-Sharif, in 2012.

"Sweden is contributing actively towards the objective of Afghan security forces being able to lead and implement operations in all provinces by the end of 2014," says Mr Bildt.

"In the near future, the Government will also decide on a revised strategy for Swedish development cooperation with Afghanistan up to 2014. This has also been preceded by close dialogue with the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, led by Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. The Bill on ISAF participation and the new development cooperation strategy together will provide cohesive governance of Swedish operations in Afghanistan."

The closing chapter of the Bill, 'The Government's considerations on continued Swedish participation in the International Security Assistance Force', is attached to this press release.

Background Sweden has been contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since it was established at the beginning of 2002. Since 2006, Sweden has had responsibility for leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. The current Swedish military contribution amounts to approximately 500 people. There are currently 49 countries contributing to ISAF, which has a strength of just over 130 000 people.

Press release 09 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to Zambia and Mozambique Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is to visit Zambia and Mozambique on 15- 18 November. Ms Carlsson will have political discussions and visit Swedish aid projects. The trip is aimed at gathering current impressions as part of the preparations ahead of the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan on 29 November-1 December.

On the agenda in Zambia are talks with representatives of the new Zambian government, female parliamentarians, and meetings with representatives of other donor countries and organisations, civil society and the private sector. Ms Carlsson will also visit a health-related project.

The first day in Mozambique will be spent visiting Swedish aid projects in Niassa, a province in the north of the country. On the agenda of the second day are meetings with representatives of Mozambique's government and meetings with representatives of major donor countries and multilateral organisations in Maputo.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 08 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Poland

On 9-10 November, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Warsaw, where she will participate in the annual meeting of the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The theme of the meeting is 'The Reinvention of Europe'. In connection with the meeting, Ms Carlsson will take part in a panel discussion on the EU's response to the Arab Spring.

Ms Carlsson will also meet the Polish foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, to discuss current bilateral and development policy issues against the backdrop of Poland's EU Presidency and the upcoming High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 01 November 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to visit Libya Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Libya today, Tuesday 1 November. During her visit, Ms Carlsson will meet representatives of the Libyan National Transitional Council, the UN and civil society.

"Sweden has a broad commitment to Libya. I am going to Tripoli to highlight Sweden's support for a free and democratic Libya and to discuss our future cooperation. I also want to follow-up our extensive humanitarian initiatives," says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden's contribution Sweden has participated in the NATO-led operation to protect civilians in accordance with decisions taken by the UN Security Council. Sweden also provides very extensive humanitarian aid to Libya and neighbouring countries. In all, Sweden has contributed some SEK 200 million in humanitarian aid.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 24 October 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to launch report on the world's 7 billion people On Wednesday 26 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the launch of this year's UN State of the Population report. The report examines the opportunities and challenges that follow from the fact that the world's population now amounts to 7 billion people.

"The most important thing we can do is to give women the power to decide for themselves if, when and how many children they want to have. This can be done by improving access to contraceptives, advice and sex education, but also through broader gender equality initiatives. The consequences of the population increase must then be dealt with through investments in sustainable development," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The launch is a joint arrangement by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Association of Sweden and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Speakers at the launch include UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Purnima Mane and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The report examines various demographic and social issues such as population growth and young people, an ageing population, migration, reproductive health services, women's rights, urban areas and environmental challenges. By primarily looking at examples from China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria and Macedonia, the report tries to focus on the individual as well as local solutions and opportunities.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 19 October 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prize for aid website openaid.se The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Sida's website openaid.se has won the Swedish Web Award, in the 'Public sector' category. The citation reads: "For innovative interaction that brings dry figures to life in a creative and thought-provoking way".

Openaid.se is a web-based information service about Sweden's development assistance, based on transparent data from government agencies. The website was developed on the initiative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with Sida. External links Openaid.se The site provides the general public, aid actors and other stakeholders with the opportunity to follow when, to whom and for which purposes aid funds have been paid and what the results are.

Guaranteed transparency In December 2009, the Government launched an initiative entitled Open Aid. The Minister for International Development Cooperation felt that aid needed to be opened up to scrutiny and ideas from more people. As part of this initiative, a 'transparency guarantee' was introduced for aid. This guarantee means that official documents and public information about Swedish aid is actively made available on the Internet. The website for this is openaid.se - available in both Swedish and English.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 18 October 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to speak at World Wide Fund for Nature innovation conference

On Wednesday 19 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is to speak at WWF Climate Solver 2011, the World Wide Fund for Nature's innovation conference. The theme of this year's conference is how to create the conditions for releasing climate innovations on the market, regardless of where they have been developed.

Ms Carlsson, who is a member of the UN Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability, is to speak about the panel's work in connection with climate, poverty, innovation and investment.

Media representatives are welcome.

Time and place Time: Wednesday 19 October at 09.00. Place: Trygg-Hansa, Fleminggatan 18 (hörsalen), Stockholm

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to participate in Conservative Party Conference in UK

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Manchester on 4-5 October to take part in the Conservative Party Conference. Ms Carlsson will meet her British counterpart, Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, and others.

She will also take part in a panel discussion organised by the Centre for European Reform entitled 'Will Brussels run British foreign policy?' intended to debate future EU foreign policy challenges.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 26 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Vice President of Tanzania Mohammed Bilal visits Stockholm Tanzania's Vice President, Mohammed Bilal, will visit Stockholm on Tuesday 27 September. Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will receive Vice President Bilal. The Vice President will also have talks with Minister for Social Security Ulf Kristersson.

Mr Bilal and Ms Gunilla Carlsson will also be taking part in a seminar under the heading 'Dawn in the Serengeti - Sweden's partnership with a Young African Lion Economy'. Ms Carlsson will present her views on Sweden's close cooperation with Tanzania since the country gained its independence in 1961, and outline the direction of future cooperation.

The seminar is being organised by the Nordic Africa Institute, the East Africa Entrepreneur Progamme at the Stockholm School of Economics and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Tanzania is Sweden's main development cooperation partner. Continued good relations with Tanzania in the areas of trade, democracy, culture and foreign affairs are highly valued by the Government. Media representatives are welcome. The seminar will be webcast.

Time and place Time: Tuesday 27 September at 15.00 Place: Rosenbad Conference Centre, Drottninggatan 1, Stockholm.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 22 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Finance Debt crisis in focus when Anders Borg and Gunilla Carlsson meet leaders at IMF and World Bank summits The debt crisis and the situation in North Africa and the Horn of Africa will be in focus when Minister for Finance Anders Borg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson take part in the World Bank and IMF annual meetings on 23-25 September in Washington.

Time and place Time: 12.30-13.30, local time Place: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington D.C

At the IMF summit, finance ministers and heads of central banks from all over the world will meet to discuss the worrying economic situation. Top of the agenda is a new report which gives recommendations for how the global economic situation should be dealt with.

"The countries that are now struggling with problematic deficits have to act quickly and decisively to get back in balance. Politicians must always have the courage to do what is right in the long term," says Minister for Finance Anders Borg.

The focus of the World Bank annual meeting is the 2012 World Development Report on gender equality and development. Mr Borg will represent Sweden and the Nordic-Baltic constituency in the joint development committee of the IMF and the World Bank.

Seminar invitation Mr Borg and Ms Carlsson will also take part in a joint seminar on Monday 26 September on the subject of 'Economic growth, gender equality and development', together with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

"Women's participation in the labour market is key to creating growth and development. One prerequisite is that girls and boys have the same right and opportunity to receive education," says Ms Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Markus Sjöqvist Press Secretary to Anders Borg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 20 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Government initiatives in development cooperation The Government is allocating one per cent of estimated gross national income (GNI) to development cooperation in 2012. This means SEK 35.8 billion, an increase of SEK 640 million. This also includes costs from other parts of the central government budget that are classed as development assistance, e.g. costs for asylum seekers, Sweden's contributions to EU development aid and contributions to the regular budget of certain UN bodies, totalling SEK 5.5 million. The development cooperation part of the expenditure area international development cooperation and reform cooperation in eastern Europe totals SEK 30.3 billion.

New initiatives

Democratisation and freedom of expression The Government is strengthening its initiative for democratisation and freedom of expression with particular focus on actors for change, human rights defenders and countries in the process of transition to democracy. The Government is allocating SEK 90 million to this special initiative.

Entrepreneurship for poverty reduction The Government is investing in growth and private sector development and is allocating SEK 650 million in the 2012 development assistance budget to specifically support entrepreneurship for poverty reduction. By providing targeted support to entrepreneurship, Sweden can make a concrete contribution to improved living conditions, job opportunities and self-sufficiency for poor people.

To encourage the growth of robust small and medium-sized enterprises in countries where an adequate supply of private capital cannot be mobilised, a long-term capital contribution to Swedfund is proposed, amounting to at least SEK 1.2 billion over the next three-year period, SEK 400 million of which will be available in 2012.

Millennium Development Goal initiative The Government is making concerted efforts up to 2015 to strengthen Sweden's contribution to the Millennium Development Goals. Initiatives for Africa are being stepped up, with particular focus on Millennium Development Goals 4 (reduced infant mortality), 5 (improved maternal health) and 7 (which includes improved access to water and sanitation).

The Millennium Development Goal initiative for the children and young people of the world launched in last year's budget will continue, focusing on measures to prevent and fight diarrhoea and diseases caused by polluted water and a lack of sanitation. Continued support for research on poverty- related diseases, which primarily affect children, is expected to help reduce ill health in children in the longer term. The initiative also includes efforts to ensure that access to primary education, particularly for girls, is improved in some of Sweden's partner countries.

Deeper humanitarian support The Government will deepen its humanitarian commitments in 2012 in order to offer assistance to the weakest and most vulnerable people around the world. A total of over SEK 5 billion is allocated in this year's budget for humanitarian operations. Around SEK 3 billion is channelled via Sida, primarily to appeals for help in various countries. More than SEK 2 billion is handled by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and comprises core budget support to humanitarian organisations such as UNICEF, the UNHCR, the WFP and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Water Aid Innovation Challenge The Government is also raising its level of ambition in the area of water and sanitation to contribute to achieving Millennium Development Goal 7 (ensuring environmentally sustainable development). As part of this, the Government will launch the Water Aid Innovation Challenge, an initiative aiming to get innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations involved in finding smart solutions to known development challenges in this area.

Grants to foreign students The Government is allocating SEK 50 million to make it possible for students from countries classed as development assistance countries by the OECD/DAC to come to study in Sweden. Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 16 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to take part in UN High-level Panel on Global Sustainability The aim of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability, which will meet in New York on 18-19 September, is to formulate a new vision for sustainable development and prosperity. One important task for the panel is to reach an international consensus and find a pragmatic way forward in sustainable development work.

The panel will discuss its final report, which is due to be presented at the beginning of 2012. The report can provide important input ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio 2012). During the meeting in New York, meetings will also be organised with civil society organisations and representatives of the business sector to discuss these important issues.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 16 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Government to invest more in champions of freedom, democracy activists and human rights defenders The Government is increasing its already high level of support for democracy and human rights by reinforcing some very topical special targeted investments in the budget with approximately SEK 90 million.

"By raising its level of ambition in this way, the Government wants to further strengthen its support to agents for change working to promote democratisation and freedom of expression. There will be greater focus on the use of information and communication technologies in the service of freedom," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Within this initiative, there is an emphasis on the importance of free and independent media and cultural actors, such as guest writers in cities of refuge.

"This initiative will also mean increased support for vulnerable civil society organisations in developing countries. This may include emergency support when people involved in civil society are harassed, physically threatened, injured, detained, imprisoned or otherwise at risk of being subjected to repression on the grounds of their work for human rights," adds Ms Carlsson.

In light of events in the Middle East and North Africa this spring, there is also scope for additional initiatives to support budding democracies and democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 16 September 2011 Prime Minister's Office Ministry for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for International Development Cooperation to travel to New York for UN General Assembly Wednesday 21 September will see the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) open the General Debate of the 66th Session. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York. The Prime Minister will deliver Sweden's address.

The 'UNGA week' brings together political leaders from all over the world. The Swedish ministers have a number of meetings planned in connection with the General Assembly meeting. Together with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mr Reinfeldt and Mr Bildt will take part in a commemorative ceremony for Dag Hammarskjöld to mark the 50th anniversary of his death. Mr Reinfeldt will also meet Bill Clinton and take part in a panel discussion on 'Empowering Girls and Women', organised by the Clinton Global Initiative. In addition, Mr Reinfeldt will meet successful Swedish entrepreneurs who have become established in New York.

During the week, Mr Bildt will take part in a number of different EU meetings with counterparts including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.

Ms Carlsson will take part in a summit on the protracted humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; she will also have meetings with the heads of key UN bodies. The three ministers will also hold a number of bilateral meetings.

Programme points: Sunday 18 September Gunilla Carlsson takes part in panel on sustainable development.

Monday 19 September Gunilla Carlsson takes part in panel on sustainable development.

Tuesday 20 September Fredrik Reinfeldt arrives in New York and holds a press briefing for Swedish journalists, approximately 18.00 local time. Carl Bildt takes part in high-level meeting on Libya, 'Friends of Libya'. Gunilla Carlsson takes part in 'Every Woman Every Child', a one-year review of Ban Ki-moon's initiative within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals. Fredrik Reinfeldt meets Marcus Samuelsson and Swedish entrepreneurs in New York.

Wednesday 21 September Fredrik Reinfeldt, Carl Bildt and Gunilla Carlsson attend the opening of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly. Joint press briefing for Swedish journalists outside the UN building, approximately 10.30 local time. Fredrik Reinfeldt attends a lunch with Ban Ki-moon and other heads of state and government. Fredrik Reinfeldt attends a reception organised by President Barack Obama. Carl Bildt speaks at the Fourth Annual Trygve Lie Symposium on Fundamental Freedoms - 'Defending Human Rights through Social Media: Challenges in Promoting Democratic Change'. Opportunity for media to attend (advance registration necessary).

Thursday 22 September Fredrik Reinfeldt takes part in a panel debate on 'Empowering Girls and Women - What to Scale; Where to Scale', organised by the Clinton Global Initiative. Open to the media. Fredrik Reinfeldt meets Bill Clinton for a bilateral meeting. Fredrik Reinfeldt and Carl Bildt take part in a commemorative ceremony for Dag Hammarskjöld.

Friday 23 September Fredrik Reinfeldt has a breakfast meeting with Jeffrey D. Sachs, special adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on issues concerning sustainable development. Fredrik Reinfeldt delivers Sweden's address to the UN General Assembly. Fredrik Reinfeldt visits Ground Zero. Open to the media, notify Roberta Alenius if you are interested in attending.

Saturday 24 September Gunilla Carlsson takes part in a donor meeting on the Horn of Africa under the leadership of Ban Ki-moon.

Please note that dates and times are provisional and subject to change. Contact Roberta Alenius Presschef hos Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 49 04 Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 06 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to meet Secretary-General of SOS Children's Villages On Wednesday 7 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will meet Secretary-General of SOS Children's Villages International Richard Pichler.

Time and place Wednesday 7 September at 14.00-14.30. Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Gustav Adolfs Torg 1, Stockholm.

The meeting between Ms Carlsson and Mr Pichler will concern the acute and growing disaster situation in the Horn of Africa and the long-term measures needed in this long-vulnerable region.

They will also discuss the UN Millennium Development Goals, which aim among other things to halve global poverty and hunger, reduce child and maternal mortality rates and stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 01 September 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to host informal Nordic-African ministerial meeting in Skåne Next week, on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 September, Sweden will be hosting an informal foreign ministers meeting between the Nordic countries and eleven African countries at Örenäs Castle, south of Helsingborg. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will host the meeting and Minister for Trade Ewa Björling and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will also be taking part.

At the meeting ministers will discuss economic development and growth against the backdrop of the strong economic outlook in several African countries, freedom on the Internet, democracy and state-building, and other topical issues.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will host the meeting. Sweden's Minister for Trade Ewa Björling and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will also be taking part. In attendance will also be foreign ministers (or other representatives) from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, and Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Djibouti.

This year's will be the tenth informal Nordic-African ministerial meeting of its kind. Each year the job of hosting the meeting has alternated between an African country and a Nordic country.

Press conference A press conference with Mr Bildt and Ms Carlsson will be held after the meeting. Please bring your press credentials.

Time and place Tuesday 6 September, approx. 12.15 Örenäs Castle, Landskrona, Sweden

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Monica Enqvist Press Secretary +46 70 670 86 18 email

Press release 30 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms Gunilla Carlsson, visits the Horn of Africa Today the Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms Gunilla Carlsson, arrived in the severely drought affected Horn of Africa region. During her trip to Kenya and Somalia, the Minister is following up on delivery of Swedish humanitarian assistance to the affected countries on the Horn of Africa is.

Sweden is among the top five humanitarian donor countries to the region, and has to date contributed with more than 700 million Swedish kronor (approximately $ 116 million) during 2011.

In addition to visiting affected areas, Ms Gunilla Carlsson also meets with the humanitarian actors working to channel assistance from Sweden and other countries. The discussions will focus on both short-term and longer-term solutions to the humanitarian crisis, as well as on how the assistance can reach people in need as rapid and effective as possible. The visit to the region is undertaken together with the UN High Commissioner for the Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 23 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to speak about threats to civil society at international conference

Today, 23 August, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will address an international conference in Stockholm on the increased threats to civil society.

The ICNL Global Forum 2011 is being organised by the Washington-based International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law. It will be attended by over 200 participants from 80 countries. These will include government representatives, civil society organisations, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs and international institutions, including the World Bank and International IDEA.

Media representatives are welcome.

Time and place Time: Tuesday 23 August at 16.00 Place: Hotel Clarion Sign, Östra Järnvägsgatan 35, Stockholm

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 18 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to speak at opening of Stockholm World Water Week 2011 On Monday 22 August, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will hold the opening address at World Water Week 2011, arranged by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). This year's theme is 'Water in an Urbanising World'.

Time and place External links Time: Monday 22 August at 10.20 World Water Week Place: Stockholmsmässan, Stockholm

Other speakers include Anders Berntell, Executive Director of SIWI, Sten Nordin, Stockholm City Commissioner for Finance, Joan Clos, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Sheela Patel, Chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International, Professor Stephen R. Carpenter, winner of the Stockholm Water Prize 2011, and Professors Alfredo Brillembourg and Hubert Klumpner, founders of a think tank on urban issues.

Further information, including media accreditation and the week's programme, is available at www.worldwaterweek.org.

World Water Week World Water Week is arranged annually by SIWI to highlight water issues. From 21 to 27 August, the media and the public will have an opportunity to meet and listen to politicians, experts, business leaders and civil society representatives.

Press release 11 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to contribute SEK 40 million to the Palestinian Authority Sweden is to contribute SEK 40 million this year via the EU financing mechanism PEGASE (Palestinian- European Mechanism for Management of Socio- Economic Aid) in direct support to the Palestinian Authority. The support will go towards salaries and pensions for employees in the Palestinian administration.

"The Palestinian Authority has made great progress in its state-building efforts and I think it is important that Sweden continues to support their work", says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The financial situation for the Palestinian Authority is at present serious and that is why Sweden has decided to allocate another SEK 40 million to help the Palestinians to pay salaries. The Palestinian Authority suffers a constant budget deficit. Although if economic growth in 2010 was estimated to be about 9 per cent, this growth is aid-driven and consequently not sustainable. Sustainable growth would require the removal of obstacles to economic activity and of Israeli restrictions on mobility and accessibility.

Sweden has been providing direct support to the Palestinian Authority since 2006. The current strategy stresses that direct support is necessary to enable the Palestinians to meet their day-to-day expenses in the short and medium term. In total SEK 200 million has been channelled via the European Commission's PEGASE mechanism. The objective of direct support is to enable the implementation of the Palestinian development plan and state-building efforts. At the major donors' coordination meeting (Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee) in April the Palestinian institutions were assessed as fulfilling the requirements for a functioning state.

PEGASE is the European Commission's financing mechanism aimed at ensuring that development assistance funds do not benefit Hamas or other organisations on the terrorist list.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 04 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs An additional SEK 50 million in humanitarian aid to Somalia "Two regions in Somalia have already been affected by famine, and more areas are at risk in the coming months. In view of the very serious humanitarian situation, I have decided to contribute an additional SEK 50 million in humanitarian aid to Somalia, which will be channelled through the International Committee of the Red Cross," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The UN has recently declared the existence of famine in the Somali regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. There is also threat of famine in several other regions in southern and central Somalia, where some 1.2 million children are in desperate need of life-saving humanitarian efforts. Due to the security situation, the possibilities of reaching people in distress in the hardest hit areas are limited. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a professional and efficient humanitarian actor, and one of the organisations that has best access to the worst-affected areas. The ICRC has well-established working methods for taking action in a professional way in an environment as difficult as Somalia.

This year the Government has provided extensive humanitarian aid for the countries on the Horn of Africa. The total is now SEK 750 million. Humanitarian support to Somalia this year has amounted to SEK 235 million, exceeding the total level of Swedish humanitarian aid to Somalia in 2010. This support is channelled through UN bodies, the ICRC and NGOs. Part of Sweden's humanitarian aid has already been directed at Somalia for preventive and long-term efforts to strengthen the country's resilience to disasters such as this. However, due to the scale of the current crisis, additional emergency relief is required.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 02 August 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish development cooperation praised in OECD mid-term review Sweden is making significant progress in improving and streamlining development cooperation. This is the view of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which has conducted a mid-term review of Swedish development assistance.

"I am happy that the OECD/DAC report confirms that we are on the right track. Effective development assistance of high quality is a prerequisite for enabling Sweden to help create conditions for poor people to improve their quality of life. That's why we work so much to create development assistance that is Download characterised by efficiency, results and openness," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. DAC mid-term review of Sweden (pdf 476 kB) DAC states that Sweden, despite challenges resulting from ongoing reforms within the Swedish aid administration, has made significant progress in handling and implementing the recommendations of DAC's comprehensive aid review in 2009. A clearer strategic orientation, better communication and a more strategic External links approach to working with multilateral development organisations are some of the improvements highlighted in the mid-term review. OECD/DAC

The mid-term review follows up on the recommendations made by the OECD/DAC in its regular peer reviews- audits of member countries' development assistance. In these peer reviews, the development policy pursued is evaluated, strengths and weaknesses are identified, and recommendations are proposed.

A more strategic approach to working with multilateral development organisations within, for example, the UN is one of the Swedish improvements that is highlighted in the mid-term review.

Press release 28 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defence Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency supports UN efforts for Somali refugees in Ethiopia Today, Thursday, staff from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency are travelling to Ethiopia to participate in the UN mission in the refugee camps in Dollo Ado, in response to the famine in the Horn of Africa. The Agency will contribute by building a housing and office camp for about 30 UN employees. The estimated cost of SEK 5.5 million will be paid by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

"In view of the acute refugee situation in the Horn of Africa, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency will now help the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, to provide more effective reception of Somali refugees in Ethiopia. This is vital to enable humanitarian aid to reach as many people in need as possible," says Minister for Related International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Sweden's support to the crisis in the Horn of Africa "Through the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Sweden has long experience of supporting aid organisations on the ground in a disaster area," says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors. "A couple of examples are in Haiti after the earthquake and support to UN efforts to take care of refugees from Libya. It is positive that the Agency's capabilities can now be of use to UNHCR in helping refugees in need in the acute situation in the Horn of Africa."

Approximately 3 500 people are leaving Somalia each day and making their way to refugee camps, mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia. The large number of refugees has overwhelmed the receiving countries, which are struggling with drought and the severe humanitarian situation of their own people. There are now approximately 154 000 refugees in the Dollo Ado area near the Somali border, some 2 000 people are arriving every day and the refugee camps are full to overflowing. Many refugees are in very poor health and need urgent humanitarian assistance. Children are at particular risk and there is widespread malnutrition. UNHCR has asked the international community for USD 136 million to help refugees in the Horn of Africa. To ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, it is essential that humanitarian organisations are able to increase their presence and that conditions are provided that allow them to work effectively. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has therefore decided to assist by providing an office and housing solution on behalf of UNHCR for UNHCR and other UN bodies on the ground.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham Henrik Hedberg +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 28 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs An extra SEK 200 million to people in need in the Horn of Africa

Time and place Related The Government decided today to increase Sida's humanitarian allocation to help people in need in the Horn Sweden's support to the crisis of Africa. The money will go towards meeting basic needs such as health, food, water, sanitation and in the Horn of Africa protection of children.

"There is an imminent risk that famine will spread in the next few months," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. "The humanitarian system, the UN and NGOs are prepared to do more to save lives and alleviate suffering. But there are two obstacles: the lack of money and the lack of humanitarian access. Sweden's contribution to the Horn of Africa, SEK 700 million including today's decision, is important. But other donors must also contribute. And the militant Islamist resistance group Al-Shabaab in Somalia must heed the UN Security Council's demands to allow humanitarian access."

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 25 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The World Food Programme allocates SEK 41 million of Sweden's core support to Somalia

"In view of the famine disaster that has hit two regions of Somalia and that is in danger of worsening, USD 6.5 million (approx. SEK 41 million) of Sweden's core support to the World Food Programme (WFP) will now be allocated to efforts in Somalia," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. Related Sweden's support to the crisis The humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa remains serious and continues to worsen. The worst drought in the Horn of Africa in 60 years, compounded by ongoing conflict, has resulted in a very serious humanitarian situation and a continuous flow of refugees from Somalia to primarily Kenya and Ethiopia. The UN has recently declared the existence of famine in the Somali regions of Lower Shabelle and southern Bakool. Famine is threatening several other regions in southern and central Somalia, where approximately fifty per cent of children are External links suffering from malnutrition and some 20 per cent of children from acute malnutrition. WFP recently called for USD 582 million to meet the enormous needs. World Food Programme

The Government has already provided extensive humanitarian aid this year to countries in the Horn of Africa. In total, SEK 483 million has now been provided. Humanitarian aid to Somalia in 2011, which so far amounts to SEK 225 million, exceeds total Swedish humanitarian aid to Somalia in 2010. This aid is channelled through UN bodies, the International Red Cross and NGOs.

Part of Sweden's humanitarian aid has already been directed at the Horn of Africa for preventive and long- term efforts to strengthen the countries' resilience to disasters such as this. However, due to the scale of the current crisis, additional emergency relief is required. The SEK 41 million now being allocated to Somalia represents part of Sweden's core contribution to WFP, which for 2011 amounts to SEK 556.5 million.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 14 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to strengthen development cooperation with Kenya The Government today decided to increase development assistance to Kenya in an effort to strengthen the momentum in the country for democratic and economic development. The appropriation will be increased this year by SEK 25 million to SEK 375 million and then to SEK 400 million in 2012 and 2013.

"Sweden's engagement in the implementation of Kenya's new constitution provides opportunities to strengthen the country's institutions, deepen democracy and promote human rights," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sweden's increased contribution will mainly be to support democracy and human rights in Kenya. A smaller share will go towards development in suburban areas. Sweden is working with both agencies and civil rights organisations, as well as businesses actively committed to continued democratisation.

"There is no doubt that at a high political level in Kenya there are forces that are opposed to reforms," says Ms Carlsson. "There is a clear risk of a backlash, which is precisely why it is now important to give full support to the positive developments that are occurring and within reach."

The increased country allocation will be administered by Sida in accordance with the existing strategy for development cooperation with Kenya for 2009-2013.

Contact Camilla Nevstad Coordinator +46 8 405 50 40 +46 72 219 80 99 email to Camilla Nevstad

Press release 14 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Government adopts a new strategy for aid initiatives in Zimbabwe The Government has today taken a decision on a strategy for aid initiatives in Zimbabwe for the years 2011-2012. The strategy focuses on support for democratic development and respect for human rights in the country.

"The key to democratic development in Zimbabwe lies in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) on power sharing, which is to pave the way for free and fair elections with full respect for the will of the people. Swedish involvement in the country is based on supporting democratic reform and contributing to enable free and fair elections in Zimbabwe," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The date of general elections in Zimbabwe is as yet uncertain, but could be as soon as in late 2011.

The new strategy means that Sweden's initiatives will concentrate on the democracy, human rights and gender equality sector. To contribute to a long-term and sustainable democratic society initiatives are also being implemented to increase access to basic social service in health and education for vulnerable groups.

"It is vital for continued development in the country that reform-friendly forces in the Government can show they have made progress as regards alleviating social poverty. We also intend to strengthen the dialogue with the Zimbabwean society to support the actors who are working for reforms in democracy and human rights, and for reduced polarisation," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The volume of Swedish aid will amount to some SEK 200 million per year.

Contact Camilla Nevstad Coordinator +46 8 405 50 40 +46 72 219 80 99 email to Camilla Nevstad

Press release 14 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish election observers to Zambia The Government decided today to make available ten observers ahead of the general elections due to take place in Zambia at the end of September. Prior to this, the president is to dissolve parliament and call an election.

"Election observers have the task of ensuring that the coming presidential and parliamentary elections in Zambia are conducted in accordance with international standards. This action will be an important contribution to reducing tension and increasing trust in the democratic process in the country," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The decision to send election observers was taken following a request from the European Union.

Sida is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers.

Contact Camilla Nevstad Coordinator +46 8 405 50 40 +46 72 219 80 99 email to Camilla Nevstad

Press release 11 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Bildt and Carlsson meet Liu Jieyi, Vice Minister in the Communist Party of China Today, 8 July, the Chinese Vice Minister Liu Jieyi visited Almedalen and had talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

"This is a good opportunity to showcase Swedish democracy, free debate and a pluralist party system," said Mr Bildt and Ms Carlsson following talks with the Chinese Vice Minister Liu Jieyi.

The Chinese Vice Minister is from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) . Mr Liu's areas of responsibility include the Nordic region, North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

Contact Ulf Emanuelli Political Adviser +46 8 405 53 61 email to Ulf Emanuelli

Press release 09 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden recognises South Sudan Sweden has today recognised the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and intends to establish diplomatic relations.

In accordance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, South Sudan held a referendum in January 2011, in which an overwhelming majority voted for independence.

"It is with great pleasure that I today welcome the Republic of South Sudan as a new state and member of the international community," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is representing Sweden at the ceremonies being held to celebrate the declaration of independence in South Sudan's capital, Juba, today.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 08 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs SEK 30 million to Horn of Africa and Sudan "In view of the worsening humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa and in Sudan, Sweden is now allocating additional humanitarian support to the region to help people in distress," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa is steadily deteriorating. The worst drought in 60 years, in combination with ongoing conflicts, have resulted in an imminent famine and continued refugee flows from Somalia to primarily Kenya, and now even to Ethiopia. At the same time, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating in a number of areas, both in Sudan and South Sudan. The Government has therefore decided to allocate SEK 30 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and their operations in the region. The funds comprise part of Sweden's core contribution to the UNHCR, which amounts to SEK 613 million in 2011.

"The humanitarian situation in the region is very disturbing. Sweden is ready to allocate additional humanitarian support if the crises deteriorate," says Ms Carlsson. The Government has already given extensive humanitarian aid to Sudan and the countries of the Horn of Africa earlier in 2011. Support to Somalia in 2011 already exceeds the total amount of humanitarian aid that Sweden gave Somalia in 2010. Prior to the latest decision of SEK 30 million, support to Sudan amounted to a total of SEK 273 million, and a total of SEK 325 million in humanitarian assistance to the countries of the Horn of Africa. The humanitarian aid is channelled via UN bodies, the International Red Cross and NGOs.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 07 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to contribute SEK 7.4 billion to the World Bank to achieve the Millennium Development Goals The Government decided today to contribute approximately SEK 7.4 billion over a three-year period to the poorest countries through the International Development Association (IDA). IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world's poorest countries.

The record-large replenishment contribution to IDA of USD 49.3 billion is a robust effort negotiated by new and traditional donors to the Millennium Development Goals. The contribution is expected to translate into 200 million child immunisations, better health care for 30 million people and cleaner water for 80 million people. In addition 80 000 kilometres of roads will be constructed and two million teachers will be recruited and trained.

"I see this as a very relevant aid channel for Sweden, and one that now has an even sharper focus on concrete results for poor people. Sweden's contribution will make a real difference in achieving the Millennium Development Goals," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

IDA will have enhanced capacity to contribute to peace and security through reconstruction efforts, and its activities are better climate-proofed and gender-mainstreamed. An overarching theme for IDA activities during the negotiation period is to become even more results-based.

"IDA and the World Bank are world leaders in openness and using new technology to improve the prospects of poor people being able to demand accountability for aid producing the planned results. This is very much in line with Sweden's view regarding the direction that aid should take," says Ms Carlsson.

Background IDA is part of the World Bank and one of the world's largest development actors for 79 of the poorest countries in the world, 39 of which are in Africa. A year-long round of negotiations on IDA's future focus was concluded in December 2010. The negotiations resulted in an increase of IDA's total resources by some 20 per cent in nominal terms to USD 49.3 billion, which was welcomed by the representatives of recipient countries who took part in the negotiations.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 07 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry for Foreign Affairs releases reports on human rights in 188 countries The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) has once again examined the human rights situation worldwide. The result is 188 reports from as many countries that will be published today, 7 July, on the Government's human rights website www.manskligarattigheter.se.

These reports present the human rights situation in all these countries and summarise challenges facing them in the work for democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in a rapidly changing world. External links Each country report contains a survey of the human rights situations based on different categories, such as Read the reports (in Swedish) the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and the right to education for LGBT people and The Government's human minority groups. The reports reflect the high priority that the Government and the MFA accord to respect for rights website human rights. Sweden and the United States are alone in the world in publishing reports on compliance with human rights in the world's countries.

The reports have been published since 2003 to make the information available to organisations, government agencies, companies and individuals who are interested in human rights. The last batch of MFA human rights reports was released on 27 March 2008.

In connection with the launch, a seminar will be held in Almedalen, where both Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will discuss the development of human rights and what action Sweden can take in this area.

Press release 01 July 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to help injury victims from Egypt The Government has today decided to cover the costs of care in Sweden for people injured during the demonstrations for democracy and human rights in Egypt in January and February 2011.

A great many people were killed and injured during the revolution. Egypt's transitional government has requested international support to help injured demonstrators receive medical care abroad.

"Sweden's willingness to help, along with other countries, to provide care for people injured in the fight for democracy and human rights is greatly appreciated. The Government's decision is a concrete example of Sweden's commitment to the new democratic Egypt that is emerging," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The cost of this initiative is not to exceed SEK 5 million and will be charged to the funds available to Sida for humanitarian operations and conflict management.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 29 June 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Almedalen: human rights, freedom on the Internet and Sweden as a brand The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is participating in various ways in this year's Almedalen Week on Gotland. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will be there. Thursday will see the presentation of the Ministry's reports on human rights in more than 180 countries, and on Friday all three ministers will take part in a seminar on freedom on the Internet.

Programme points:

Sweden as a brand and enterprise Sweden has a strong brand image abroad. Representatives of various types of companies talk about the brand's importance for international initiatives and exports. How do we attract major international actors and tourists using the Sweden brand? Ewa Björling will be participating, along with the heads of the Ministry's Department for the EU Internal Market and the Promotion of Sweden and Swedish Trade, the Swedish Trade Council, Invest Sweden, the Swedish Institute and VisitSweden. After the seminar, Dr Björling will be available to the media.

Time and place Tuesday 5 July, 12.00-14.00 Krukmakarens hus, Mellangatan 21, Visby

Human rights around the world At this seminar, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will present more than 180 reports on the human rights situation in as many countries. Carl Bildt and Gunilla Carlsson will take part in discussions on the situation in different countries and what Sweden can do to contribute to positive developments based on the trends, changes and challenges identified in the reports. A press conference with Mr Bildt and Ms Carlsson will be held after the seminar.

Time and place Thursday 7 July, 14.00-15.30, with the subsequent press conference to start at around 15.30 inside the Residence of the County Governor. Democracy Stage, Länsstyrelsens trädgård, Strandgatan 1

Freedom on the Internet - for all! Carl Bildt, Gunilla Carlsson and Ewa Björling will all take part in the seminar 'Freedom on the Internet - for all!'. What can the Government do to enhance freedom, security and privacy on the Internet? How can the Internet be used as an important engine for global development? These are just some of the questions that will be examined. Director-General of Sida Charlotte Petri Gornitzka will give the opening address and take part in the panel discussion alongside the three ministers. The discussion will be led by Patrik Fältström, Distinguished Consulting Engineer at Cisco. Following the seminar, a press conference will be held with Mr Bildt, Ms Carlsson and Dr Björling.

Time and place Friday 8 July, 11.00-12.30, with the subsequent press conference to start at around 12.30 right beside Östersjötorget. Östersjötorget, Donnersgatan 6, Visby, entrance from Almedalen park.

Contact Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Birgitta Svensén-Grönkvist Political Adviser to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8-405 52 37 +46 70-856 19 59 Monica Enqvist Press Secretary +46 70 670 86 18 email

Press release 15 June 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Palestine Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit Palestine on 19-21 June ahead of the creation of a new cooperation strategy for Palestine. Another aim of the trip is to evaluate Palestinian state- building efforts and how Swedish development work can be put to best use.

Ms Carlsson will hold talks with representatives of the Palestinian Authority, including the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and meet representatives of civil society in Eastern Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza.

In Gaza, Ms Carlsson will visit Swedish-financed development projects. Meetings with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA, and young Palestinians in Gaza are also part of the programme. In addition, Ms Carlsson will deliver a speech on Palestinian state-building, human rights and democratic development in the Middle East and meet students. A press conference will be held afterwards. ------

Sweden is one of the biggest donors to the Palestinians, with support totalling some SEK 700 million in 2011. This support is intended to promote Palestinian state-building and alleviate the humanitarian consequences of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

For further information concerning the trip and the dates and times of press conferences, please contact Press Secretary Evin Khaffaf.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 08 June 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs to visit Gunilla Carlsson On Thursday 9 June EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will visit Stockholm for talks on EU development policy with Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Time and place External links Thursday 9 June at 15.30 Wordl Development Report Oasen, Sida, Valhallavägen 199 in Stockholm 2011

Discussions at the meeting between Commissioner Piebalgs and Ms Carlsson will cover future EU development policy, the aid effectiveness agenda for the high-level meeting in Busan, gender equality and democracy support. Ms Carlsson will also give an account of Swedish priorities in the area of development, such as the transparency guarantee and openaid.se, gender equality work and the focus on democracy and human rights.

During the afternoon, Commissioner Piebalgs and Ms Carlsson will participate as keynote speakers at a seminar arranged by Sida on the theme of development challenges in countries characterised by violence, conflict and fragile situations, in which they will speak of Sweden and the EU's respective priorities and challenges in the area.

The report "Citizen security, justice and jobs - key measures to remove conflict and violence as main obstacles to development" will also be presented. The presentation will be made by one of its co-authors, Sarah Cliffe. The report aims to analyse the links between conflict, violence and development and will be followed by a panel discussion on how the international community can act more effectively in situations characterised by conflict and violence.

We look forward to seeing you.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 03 June 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden contributes additional humanitarian support to Libya "Due to the continuing difficult humanitarian situation in Libya and its consequences for the neighbouring countries, Sida is now contributing additional humanitarian support to assist those affected," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sida has decided to contribute an additional SEK 25 million in humanitarian support to the UN's revised appeal for the Libyan crisis. Sida has also decided to contribute SEK 30 million to support the work carried out in Libya and its neighbouring countries by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Sida is thus contributing a total of just over SEK 129 million to Libya.

The decision to contribute SEK 25 million means additional support amounting to SEK 16 million to the UNHCR, SEK 8 million to UNICEF and SEK 1 million to Islamic Relief Sweden. This support is to go primarily to the protection of, and humanitarian support for, the civilian population in Libya. It is also to finance support to approximately 640 000 Libyans and third-country citizens who have fled to Tunisia, Egypt and Niger. Of these people, women who have been subjected to violence, and children, are one important target group. Sweden's efforts are also expected to include psychosocial support to the increasing number of refugees, including internally displaced persons, be they men, women or children. The target group for the UN's flash appeal numbers a total of 1 660 000 people. Of these, 1 160 000 are in Libya, almost half of whom - 460 000 people - are internally displaced persons.

SEK 30 million in support to the Red Cross is funding the organisation's revised appeal and will go primarily to people in need in Libya and the border areas. The aim is to help enforce respect for international humanitarian law, provide support for health care for war casualties and for reconnecting families, and minimise the risk to civilians from mines and explosive war debris. The target group for the Red Cross appeal numbers a total of 780 000 people affected by the conflict in Libya.

Sida and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are continuously assessing the need for further measures.

The UN and humanitarian relief organisations state that possibilities of working in Libya are extremely limited due to the security situation and restricted access, especially to the western parts of the country. All parties in the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure that humanitarian relief workers can reach those affected.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 20 May 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to meet EU colleagues in Brussels On Tuesday 24 May, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will take part in the EU development ministers meeting in Brussels. The ministers will discuss EU commitments on financing for development, the situation in Sudan, water and development, and the situation in Côte d'Ivoire.

Sweden will continue its efforts to ensure that more EU Member States honour their development commitments and, in so doing, help to achieve the EU's development aid target. Sweden is one of the countries that has increased its aid since 2002 and now comfortably exceeds the EU's aid target of 0.7 per cent of GNI. Council conclusions will be adopted on the EU's commitments in the area of development cooperation. Sweden has successfully pushed for the EU to confirm its earlier development commitments, i.e. to achieve 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2015.

Ms Carlsson will also discuss Sudan in relation to the declaration of independence by Southern Sudan, which is expected on 9 July. The foreign ministers will also discuss Sudan at their meeting on 23 May. Sweden welcomes this holistic approach to the issue. In the development assistance area, Sweden will emphasise the importance of international partnerships and cooperation to strengthen support to Southern Sudan following independence, while remaining committed to Northern Sudan. Sweden considers it important that respect for democracy, human rights and the principles of the rule of law form the basis of support to both countries.

A discussion on water and development is being planned at the initiative of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. The Hungarian Presidency has devoted special attention to the water issue in various forums. Water is a prioritised area of activity for Swedish development cooperation within the framework of environmental and climate issues. Ms Carlsson is looking forward to a discussion on the link between water and sanitation and the right to water.

Finally, Côte d'Ivoire is expected to be discussed in light of the recent developments in the country. Ms Carlsson will raise the issue of the after- effects of the Côte d'Ivoire crisis in the region and also call attention to the situation in Liberia and the need for EU support in this region.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 16 May 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Environment and sustainability on agenda when Gunilla Carlsson takes part in UN High-Level Panel On 18 May, members of the UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability will come to Stockholm to participate in the Nobel Laureate Symposium, which brings together Nobel laureates, researchers, politicians and business leaders. The High-Level Panel will be represented by Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, President Tarja Halonen of Finland, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd and others.

The High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability, of which Ms Carlsson is a member, was appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2010 with the task of formulating a new vision for global sustainability and making proposals on how to implement this vision. Following a two-day meeting in Helsinki on 16-17 May, members of the Panel will be coming to Stockholm on 18 May to participate in the Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability.

The Nobel Laureate Symposium in Stockholm is being arranged by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on16-18 May. It brings together some twenty Nobel laureates, researchers, politicians and decision-makers to formulate priorities for a future in which the world's economies can develop within environmentally safe limits. On the last day of the Symposium, 18 May, the participating Nobel laureates will deliver their conclusions and recommendations to the Panel on Global Sustainability. This will be an important opportunity for the Panel to hear proposals from some of the world's foremost researchers on how to achieve global sustainability.

The High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability assembles some of the world's leading politicians and thinkers. President of Finland Tarja Halonen, who will be coming to the Symposium, co-chairs the Panel together with President of South Africa Jacob Zuma. Apart from Ms Carlsson, other members of the Panel who are coming to Stockholm include Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd, Blackberry founder James Laurence Balsillie, Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland.

The final report of the Panel on Global Sustainability is planned for the end of this year and will serve as input in the preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio 2012).

During the Nobel Laureate Symposium, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, President of Finland Tarja Halonen and Chair of the Nobel Laureate Symposium Johan Rockström will meet the press.

Time and place Wednesday 18 May at 14.45

Nobelrummet at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Lilla Frescativägen 4A, Stockholm

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 02 May 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to speak on AIDS On 3 May, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will speak at Karolinska Institutet's conference "30 Years of AIDS - Memories, Achievements and Future Perspectives".

The conference is intended to draw attention to progress and setbacks in research, health care and society. External links For more information on the Time and place conference, see the KI website Tuesday 3 May at 09.00. Address: Norra Latin, Drottninggatan 71 B, Stockholm

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 12 April 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to attend World Bank Spring Meeting Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is to attend the World Bank Spring Meeting on 15-17 April 2011. The meeting will be dominated by security and development issues, increased food prices, upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa, and further internal World Bank reforms.

The World Bank will launch the World Development Report 2011 on the theme of conflict, security and development and has also proposed a package of measures designed to increase its ability to better operate in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Gunilla Carlsson will engage in dialogue with the leaders of the World Bank and heads of other international organisations about the need to support reforms in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Minister for International Development Cooperation will also participate in a panel discussion on openness and transparency in development cooperation. She will also take the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality for economic growth and development effectiveness during the meetings in Washington, D.C.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 07 April 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New State Secretary at Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Government has decided today to appoint Hanna Hellquist State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

"With the recruitment of Hanna Hellquist as State Secretary, I see good prospects for continuing to make development assistance more effective," says Ms Carlsson.

Hanna Hellquist has most recently served as Political Adviser to the Minister for International Development Cooperation.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 28 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to visit Lund University On Tuesday 29 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will give a speech on the challenges for development assistance in a changing world at the Association of Foreign Affairs at Lund University.

Time and place Time: Tuesday 29 March at 19.00 Place: Lecture hall, Solcentrum, Helgonabacken 12 (by the University library), Lund University

The media are welcome.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 18 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New strategy for aid initiatives in Belarus 2011-2014 The Government today adopted a new strategy for aid initiatives in Belarus for the period 2011-2014. The strategy focuses on additional initiatives to support democratic development and respect for human rights in the country, a need that has become more apparent in light of the presidential elections in December last year and the repressive actions that followed.

"Sweden has actively supported the EU's forceful reaction to the unacceptable actions of the Belarusian leadership. At the same time, it is important not to isolate the Belarusian people. It is now more important than ever to create new points of contact and further develop existing networks with civil society and actors positively inclined to change," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The new strategy for aid initiatives in Belarus means that Sweden's initiatives will focus on three sectors: democracy, human rights and gender equality, the environment, and market development. The volume of Swedish aid will amount to some SEK 120 million per year.

"As a close neighbour in the Baltic Sea region, it is in the interests of Sweden and the EU that, in addition to extensive support for democratic development and increased respect for human rights, we contribute to strong environmental protection in Belarus. This applies particularly to water purification, which affects the Baltic Sea environment. We also want to strengthen the conditions for market development by providing support to small businesses. In both cases, cooperation with civil society will be an important component. Providing support to actors positively inclined to change means that we can contribute to a pluralistic society," says Ms Carlsson.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 09 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press invitation: Web activist meeting with Gunilla Carlsson Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is to meet about 10 internet activists and prominent experts on 10 March at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to discuss how information and communication technologies should be used to boost freedom and democracy in developing countries.

Participants include Andrew Lewman, Executive Director of the Tor Project, internet debater Joakim Jardenberg, and Jonathan Lundqvist from Reporters Without Borders.

Time and place External links Thursday, 10 March at 13.30 MFA blog (in Swedish) Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Gustav Adolfs Torg 1, Stockholm

The media are welcome when the meeting ends at 13.30. Please bring your press credentials.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 04 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to visit London Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will be visiting London on 7-8 March, where she will meet her British colleague Andrew Mitchell. Ms Carlsson will also deliver a public lecture on the topic 'Why Human Rights and Democracy are Critical to overcome Poverty' at the London School of Economics on Tuesday 8 March.

Time and place Time and place of the speech at the London School of Economics:

Time: Tuesday 8 March at 18.00 Place: London School of Economics, New Academic Building, 54 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 2LJ

Media representatives are welcome to attend.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 04 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden provides aircraft and support to those affected in Libya Sweden is providing an aircraft for humanitarian evacuations and SEK 33 million for support to those affected in Libya.

"Developments in Libya have resulted in a humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of people," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. "Many people have tried to escape the regime's violence against the civilian population, and this has created a critical situation at the borders, particularly in Tunisia, which may have a destabilising effect in the region. I am pleased that Sweden can provide concrete assistance to those affected."

The Government decided today that the Swedish Hercules aircraft already on site in Malta as part of the consular evacuation operation will be made available to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to help with the evacuation of those in distress at the Tunisian border.

Sida intends to take a decision on contributing a total of SEK 33 million in response to the appeals that have been made, or are soon expected to be made, by the humanitarian organisations on the ground. This is in addition to the large core contributions that Sweden already gives to these organisations. Contributions may be made to the International Red Cross, UNHCR and UNICEF to support assistance measures for those affected. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency will also provide logistical support at the request of the UN system and funded by Sida.

Sweden has framework agreements with key humanitarian organisations, which means that funds can be made immediately available to the organisations for rapid operations. Sweden is also prepared to provide further contributions as necessary if the situation deteriorates and/or access for relief efforts in Libya improves.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 04 March 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs New strategy for Sweden's cooperation with the World Bank Yesterday, 3 March, the Government adopted a new strategy for Sweden's cooperation with the World Bank Group for the period 2011-2014. Drawing up strategies for a number of large and important multilateral development organisations is part of the work to strengthen Sweden's focus on, and advocacy in, multilateral cooperation.

The strategy is based on the Government's assessment of the organisation's relevance and effectiveness and establishes objectives and forms of cooperation for the strategy period. The Swedish assessment is that the World Bank Group is a highly relevant and effective organisation. Related Multilateral cooperation "The strategy builds on our efficient collaboration with the World Bank Group, but is to contribute to more focused, strategic and results-oriented Swedish work," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. The cooperation will focus on economic growth, gender equality, the environment and climate, post-conflict countries and fragile situations, as well as on making the World Bank Group's institutions as efficient as possible.

"These are areas in which Sweden is particularly willing to contribute to continued strengthening of the Bank's work," says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden will work for increased initiatives for developing the private sector, strengthened integration of the gender equality perspective, increased investments in renewable energy, well-adapted support to post- conflict countries and strengthened results-based management.

"We also enjoy a valuable exchange of knowledge and experience with the World Bank, which I would particularly like to develop in the areas of openness and transparency. This is an area of work in which the World Bank has come a long way," says Ms Carlsson.

Sweden's positive view of the World Bank's results and reform efforts was expressed through the largest Swedish replenishment contribution ever to the Bank's fund for lending to the poorest countries, the International Development Association (IDA) in 2010. Sweden has undertaken to contribute SEK 7.4 billion in the replenishment period, which makes Sweden the ninth largest donor.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 22 February 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson to visit South Africa Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will visit South Africa on 23-25 February to take part in the United Nations High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability. She will also meet representatives of the South African Government and various sections of South African society for political talks.

The UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability is meeting to discuss a new vision for promoting sustainable development and proposals as to how this can be achieved. This kind of vision includes economic, environmental and social factors and should focus on solutions to significant global problems such as poverty and global environmental problems, and take account of social factors. Governments, business sectors and civil society organisations are important partners in this work.

In August 2010, the Secretary-General of the United Nations established a High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability led by Finnish President Tarja Halonen and South African President Jacob Zuma. Its task is to formulate a new vision for global sustainable development. Ms Gunilla Carlsson is a member of the Panel, which is to present its report at the end of this year.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 27 January 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Regarding the murder of LGBT activist David Kato in Uganda Ugandan police have confirmed that one of Uganda's leading LGBT activists, David Kato, was murdered in his home on Wednesday.

"I was greatly dismayed to hear about the murder of David Kato. Mr Kato was one of the courageous leaders of the LGBT movement in Uganda. His efforts on behalf of human rights have a lasting value. The police and the authorities must now speedily conduct a thorough investigation so that the person or persons responsible can be tried and brought to justice," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Press release 26 January 2011 Prime Minister's Office Ministry of Finance Ministry for Foreign Affairs Program World Economic Forum From Wednesday 26 until Sunday 30 January, the World Economic Forum's annual summit will be held in Davos, Switzerland. The forum engages leaders from various fields to discuss how the situation in the world can be improved. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for Finance Anders Borg, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will be there to represent the Swedish Government.

The theme of this year's summit is "Shared Norms for the New Reality". This year's summit is the 41st of its kind, and close to 35 heads of state and government, a large number of ministers, almost 900 CEOs and others are expected to take part. Related Interview with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt ahead of the Programme points: World Economic Forum in Davos Debate article: A new image of Sweden is emerging WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 18:00 - 18:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Josette Sheeran, Chef för WFP (Bilateral room ME19, Middle Entry level) External links 18:30 -19:00 , Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Robert Greenhill (Bilateral room ME19) More information about the summit at The World Economic Forum's website THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 08:00-08:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Breakfast with Andrew Mitchell, Open for media. (Hotel Alexanderhaus)

10:00-10:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral med Kofi Annan (Bilateral meeting room ME21)

12:30-14:00, Gunilla Carlsson, Development Lessons from High-growth Economies (Hotel Schweizerhof, Arvenstübli) What are the development lessons - good and bad - that slow-growth, industrialized economies can learn from faster-growing emerging markets?

15.00-16.00, Gunilla Carlsson, Informal working meeting about "Global Sustainability" (www.un.org/wcm/content/site/climatechange/pages/gsp

16:00-16:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Micheline Calmy-Rey, UN Women

16:30-17:00 Bilateral Michelle Bachelet

17:30 - 18:00, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Helen Clark, UNDP (Bilateral meeting room ME23)

THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 08:00-08:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Breakfast with Andrew Mitchell, Open for media. (Hotel Alexanderhaus)

10:00 - 10:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral med Kofi Annan (Bilateral meeting room ME21)

12:30 - 14:00, Gunilla Carlsson, Development Lessons from High-growth Economies (Hotel Schweizerhof, Arvenstübli) What are the development lessons - good and bad - that slow-growth, industrialized economies can learn from faster-growing emerging markets?

15.00-16.00, Gunilla Carlsson, Informal working meeting about "Global Sustainability" (www.un.org/wcm/content/site/climatechange/pages/gsp

16:00-16:30, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Micheline Calmy-Rey, UN Women

16:30 - 17:00 Bilateral Michelle Bachelet

17:30-18:00, Gunilla Carlsson, Bilateral Helen Clark, UNDP (Bilateral meeting room ME23)

FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 08.00 - 10.15, Carl Bildt, Governing in a new media age (Private Events for Annual Meeting) How will the roles and functions of government change in the coming years, and how will internet, social media and other dimensions of the digital revolution affect their abilities to deliver and execute? What is known about practices that work in the new world of networked governance? (Congress Centre, Rinerhorn Terrasse)

09.00, Anders Borg, Meeing with Stanley Fischer

09.00-10.00, Gunilla Carlsson, Redefining Sustainable Development. (Congress Centre - Congress Hall)

10.20-10.50, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Bilateral with the President of Mexico Calderón

11.00-11.30, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Meeting with ECB's Jean-Claude Trichet

11.10-11.30, Carl Bildt and Gunilla Carlsson Bilateral meeting with Jakob Kellenberger, President, ICRC. (Congress centre)

11.45-12.05, Carl Bildt, Bilateral meeting with Mr David Drummond, Senior Vice President Corporate Development, Google (Congress centre)

12.15-14.15, Anders Borg, Lunchseminarium Currency Imbalances: Towards a New Bretton Woods? High volatility of exchange rates of the most important currencies has triggered renewed debates about the stability of the international monetary system. Questions on global reserve currencies, economic disparities, protectionism and financial imbalances are calling for a new Bretton Woods.

12.30-14.00, Carl Bildt, 7th Davos Ukrainian Lunch Debate: a) how to kickstart modernization, b) bring Ukraine and Poland closer together and c) foster Ukraine's European Integration. (Morosani Scweizerhof Hotel, Promenade 50)

12.30-14.15, Fredrik Reinfeldt, seminar- Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Torward a New Growth Model (Congress Centre, Parsenn/Pischa) At their 2009 London Summit, G20 leaders pledged "to build an inclusive, green and sustainable recovery" and to "lay the foundation for a fair and sustainable world economy". Yet, domestic pressures for increased protectionist measures continue to grow. With unemployment persisting and the path of recovery uncertain in many countries, how can this aspiration for more inclusive growth be translated more effectively into reality? What role do free trade and open economy play in promoting sustainable growth? How can surplus and deficit countries adopt a mutually reinforcing set of reforms to accelerate growth in global aggregate demand and median living standards? Moderated by Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden

14.00-16.30, Gunilla Carlsson, Designing a Policy Innovation Platform for sustainable Consumption (Derby Hotel Davos, Fluela 1+ 2 + 3)

14.30-15.30, Fredrik Reinfeldt and Carl Bildt, Confronting New Realities: The Nordic Experience (Congress Centre, Aspen 2) What are the underlying principles and policies behind the economic success and social innovation that are hallmarks of Nordic countries? The following dimensions will e addressed: - Public-private collaboration - Fiscal reform - Gender and migration policies - Emloyment and social protection The session will include: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland (Panellists) Tarja Halonen, President of Finland (Panellists) Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark (Panellists) Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden (Panellists) Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway (Panellists) Moderated by Klas Eklund, Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of Lund

17.00-19.00, Fredrik Reinfeldt and Anders Borg, Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Reform of the International Monetary System (Congress Centre, Pischa) The international monetary system of recent decades has been characterized by wide swings in exchange rate parities, large and persistent current account imbalances and cross-border financial crises affecting developed and developing countries alike. Recent exchange rate policy tensions have evoked memories of the competitive devaluations of the 1930s. What longer-term lessons can be drawn from the experience of the past decade? What reforms would be appropriate and feasible in the areas identified by the French G20 presidency: increasing protection against capital flow volatility; answering the need for reserve asset diversification; and improving policy coordination? How should the mandate, capacity and governance of the International Monetary Fund be improved to support these objectives? Moderated by Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry of France; Member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum

20.00-22.00, Carl Bildt, Middagsseminarium The Art of Negotiation (Hotel National, Living Room) Carl Bildt, Discussion leader

SATURDAY 29 JANUARY 08.15 - 10.00 Fredrik Reinfeldt and Carl Bildt, Seminar Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Rio + 20 (Congress Centre, Parsenn) The 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro galvanized environmental consciousness and cooperation on a scale never witnessed before or since. Attended by 108 heads of state or government, it resulted in landmark climate change, biodiversity, forestry management and financing accords. The Rio+20 Summit in 2012 presents a similar opportunity for progress. Should it pursue a top- down (intergovernmental) or bottom-up (national and multistakeholder) reform agenda or both? If the UN is to remain a central platform, should a World Environment Organization be created? If so, what should be its core mandate and functions? If not, in what other ways could a major upgrade in international environmental and developmental governance be achieved? How can other multilateral regimes, such as trade, advance the environment agenda? Moderated by Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi

08.00 - 10.00, Anders Borg, Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - Aligning Perspectives in the New Financial Landscape (Congress Centre, Pischa WorkSpace) The G-20 summit in Korea produced agreement on an important set of reforms to international financial supervision. However, deliberations on financial governance and regulatory reform are far from complete. How can business and policy leaders ensure progress on financial government and regulatory reforms in 2011? How can they seek to advance the scope of the regulatory framework and the establishment of a level playing field as a means of improving global financial governance? What are the next steps in regulating key dimensions of the financial landscape? 1. Regulating systemically important financial institutions 2. Coordinating among regulatory frameworks 3. Levelling the playing field between regulated and unregulated sectors 4. Restoring trust in the financial system 5. Developing capital markets in emerging economies

12.00-14.00, Carl Bildt, Lunch seminar Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders - The Role of the Group of 20 in the Multilateral System

Contact Roberta Alenius Presschef hos Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 49 04 Daniel Valiollahi Press Secretary +46 8 405 10 00 Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 8 405 00 00 Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham

Press release 25 January 2011 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson attends Humanitarian Funding Conference in Geneva Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson is attending the Humanitarian Funding Conference in Geneva on 25-26 January under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Ms Carlsson will also take part in the UN Human Rights Council and meet the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.

Contact Sebastian Tham Press Secretary to Hillevi Engström +46 72 212 74 72 email to Sebastian Tham 2010

Press release 22 December 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish election observers to Uganda The Government decided today to send five election observers to Uganda to monitor the presidential and parliamentary elections on 18 February 2011.

Uganda has one of the world's youngest populations, with 70 per cent of those entitled to vote aged between 18 and 30.

"For the second time, the Ugandan people now have several political parties and presidential candidates to chose between. The task of our election observers is to monitor the election and vote count to ensure that they proceed correctly and that the election campaign is characterised by freedom of assembly and expression," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The decision to send election observers was taken following a request from the EU. Sida is responsible for recruiting and training the Swedish participants.

Contact Anders Jörle Director Press Section MFA +46 8 405 57 27 +46 70 888 36 24 email to Anders Jörle

Pressmeddelande 22 december 2010 Utrikesdepartementet Svenska valobservatörer till Uganda Regeringen har idag beslutat att skicka fem valobservatörer till Uganda inför president- och parlamentsvalen den 18 februari 2011. Uganda har en av världens yngsta befolkningar med 70 procent av de röstberättigade mellan 18 och 30 år.

- Ugandierna har nu för andra gången flera partier och presidentkandidater att välja mellan. Våra valobservatörer har i uppgift att granska att valet och rösträkningen går rätt till men också att valrörelsen präglas av mötes- och yttrandefrihet, säger biståndsminister Gunilla Carlsson.

Beslutet att skicka valobservatörer har fattats efter en begäran från EU. Svenska Sida ansvarar för rekrytering och utbildning av de svenska deltagarna.

Kontakt Anders Jörle Presschef UD:s presstjänst 08-405 57 27 070-888 36 24 e-post till Anders Jörle

Press release 17 December 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden to invest SEK 7.4bn in the poorest countries On Wednesday, Sweden allocated SEK 7.4 billion over a three-year period to the poorest countries through the International Development Association (IDA).

"Sweden has successfully promoted the approach that the future focus of IDA should be on climate, gender equality, conflict-affected countries and Africa. This will ensure that the Swedish contribution makes a real difference in helping the poorest countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals," says Minister for External links International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson. World Bank's press release

Background IDA is the World Bank's fund for the poorest countries. A year-long round of negotiations on the future focus of the fund has just been concluded.

The negotiations resulted in an increase of IDA's total resources by some 20 per cent in nominal terms to USD 49.3 billion, which was welcomed by representatives of the recipient countries who took part in the negotiations.

Contact Åsa Hjelt +46 8 405 50 64 +46 70 339 65 15

Press release 09 December 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Government to raise contribution to low-income countries in Africa "The need for basic infrastructure, above all, but also better conditions for the private sector, is substantial in most African countries. Sweden's contribution will strengthen the ADF, ensuring that measures are more effective and can strategically meet the needs of recipient countries in these areas," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Sweden's contribution represents an increase of SEK 400 million compared with the previous contribution. The ADF's investments in infrastructure (transport, renewable energy, clean water), good governance, regional integration and in fragile states and post-conflict areas are now being extended. Measures to combat climate change and to promote gender equality are to be better integrated into all activities. Moreover, there will be a huge boost to private sector development in low-income countries. The responsibility of individual countries for fighting corruption and creating a good investment climate is to be stressed.

The Government's decision covers the period 2011-2013. Despite a harsher budgetary situation in many countries, donors are contributing a total of approximately SEK 70 billion to the ADF, which is an increase of approximately 10.6 per cent compared with the previous three-year period.

Background The African Development Fund was founded in 1972 and is part of the African Development Bank (AfDB), which was founded in 1964. The Bank's mandate is to contribute to sustainable economic and social development in Africa. The Bank finances state and private projects and provides loans to middle-income countries on essentially commercial terms. The ADF offers concessional loans and donations to the poorest countries. Sweden is the ADF's tenth largest donor.

Contact Mr. Anders Jörle Head of the Press Service 08-405 57 27 070-888 36 24

Press release 03 December 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to meet Morgan Tsvangirai at the European Development Days On 6 December Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will be travelling to Brussels to take part in the annual European Development Days (EDD).

There she will be participating in the high-level panel, 'The post-Lisbon landscape - Development at a crossroads'. In Brussels Ms Carlsson will also be meeting with Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. External links EDD is a forum for the discussion of development issues that gathers actors from all around the world. Its aim eudevdays.eu is to move the development agenda forward and showcase the role of the EU as a global development actor. The Belgian Development EDD is open to the public. Cooperation website

The European Commission and the Belgian EU Presidency are jointly organising the fifth edition of EDD. This year's theme is the future of European development cooperation and the new actors.

The results of the UN high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, the EU's institutional changes and the ongoing climate summit in Cancun can prove to be hot topics for discussion.

Speakers will include Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Isabelle Durant, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Jean-Michel Severino, President of the French Water Partnership.

This year's EDD will be held on 6-7 December in the SQUARE meeting centre, Brussels, and is expected to attract more than 5 000 visitors.

Background The Swedish Presidency and the Commission organised the fourth edition of EDD in October 2009. The theme in Stockholm was 'Citizenship and Development'. The event was attended by more that 6 000 visitors, making it the best attended EDD to date.

Contact Anders Jörle Head of the Press Service +46 8 405 57 27 +46 70 888 36 24 email to Anders Jörle

Press release 26 November 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Gunilla Carlsson to attend EU-AU summit Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will attend the EU-Africa summit to be held in Tripoli, Libya on 29-30 November 2010.

"It is important - not least in light of the new actors that are now taking an increasingly active role in the African arena - to demonstrate the EU's positive interest in broader and even more dynamic cooperation with Africa in the future.

"This summit takes place a few days after the climate conference in Cancún, and for this reason it is a good opportunity to try to coordinate African and European positions within this key area," says Ms Carlsson.

The EU will be represented by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. Ms Carlsson will head the Swedish delegation.

The purpose of the meeting is to follow up on the cooperation that has been developed over the past three years within the eight partnership areas that have been identified and that span broad issues concerning policy, security, trade, environment, climate, energy and aid.

Contact André Mkandawire Acting Press Secretary to Gunilla Carlsson +46 8 405 59 39 +46 704 06 14 10

Press release 25 November 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish election observers to Sudan The Government decided today to send four election observers to Sudan ahead of the referendum in southern Sudan, scheduled for 9 January 2011.

"The people of southern Sudan face the historic task of deciding whether Sudan will continue to be one country or whether it will be divided. It is important that the referendum is held in accordance with international standards," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

As part of the 2005 peace agreement between the northern and southern parts of Sudan, a referendum is to be held in southern Sudan to decide whether the country will be divided.

The Swedish election observers are part of the EU election observation mission invited by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission to observe the referendum. The election observers will also monitor voter registration, which opened on 15 November. In total, the mission will comprise 44 long-term observers and 30 short-term observers.

Sida is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers.

Contact Staffan Jonsäter Africa section tel: 08-405 58 60

Press release 11 November 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish election monitors to Belarus The Government decided today to send two election monitors, eight election observers and one statistician to Belarus ahead of the presidential elections on 19 December.

"It is important that the elections in Belarus are conducted in a free and fair manner and in accordance with democratic and international standards," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The decision to send election monitors follows a request from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Sida is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers. Questions about recruitment may be addressed to Sida's election monitoring group.

Press release 19 October 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press invitation: Gunilla Carlsson and UNFPA launch this year's population report on the vulnerability of people in conflict In a simultaneous worldwide launch on Wednesday 20 October, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will present its report "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change", which describes how conflicts and crises affect people's lives.

Time and place In Stockholm, the report will be launched at a seminar led by Mari Simonen, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, together with Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

Time: Wednesday 20 October, 09.30-11.00 Place: International Press Centre, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Fredsgatan 6, Stockholm

The report will be available in connection with the launch.

If you would like to attend, please send advance notice to: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you.

Background For Sweden, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a high-priority global actor. Every year the Fund produces a report on a specific topic. This year it is ten years since the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The overarching objective of the Resolution is to increase women's participation and influence in conflict prevention, management and resolution.

This year's report describes how conflicts and crises affect people's lives. It is based on the stories of people from different parts of the world - people who have had to flee their homes, disaster survivors and victims of armed conflict. It also describes how social networks give hope and help in the struggle for survival and how people succeed in finding ways to go on living.

In current conflicts, it is women and girls who are most exposed to sexual violence. They risk unwanted pregnancies after being raped and are exposed to the risk of HIV/AIDS infection. Many are traumatised and live under constant threats, fleeing from armed conflicts. UNFPA works for the right of all people to sexual and reproductive health, for increased gender equality and against gender-based violence.

Contact Peter Larsson +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 15 October 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Government undertakes targeted measures for Africa The Government yesterday approved a new regional strategy for Africa encompassing a total of SEK 3.5 billion for 2010-2015. At the same time, Sweden has decided to increase its replenishment of the African Development Fund to over SEK 2 billion for 2011-2013.

The Government yesterday adopted a new cooperation strategy for Swedish regional development cooperation in Africa for 2010-2015. Support will also be given for research cooperation. The aim of the strategy is to increase capacity and political consensus among countries and intergovernmental organisations in Africa to tackle cross-border challenges concerning stability, trade and economic integration, and sustainable development. The priority issues are: peace and security, environment and climate, and economic integration, including trade, the business sector and financial systems. The strategy also contains a special anti-corruption initiative.

"Issues such as migration, climate and peace and security transcend borders. The new, concerted strategy gives us a tool to ensure more effective Swedish support to help our African partner organisations have more of an impact," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The decision was also taken today to increase contributions to the African Development Fund (ADF). Donors have now agreed on around SEK 70 billion in resources for the period 2011-2013, which is an increase in donations of around 10.6 per cent compared with the previous period. Sweden will increase its contribution by around SEK 400 million to over SEK 2 billion in total, thereby maintaining its previous share of contributions to the ADF.

"At a critical stage of the final negotiations, we decided to give additional funds to the ADF. This increased the pressure on other donors and, ultimately, some of them also increased their contributions," says Ms Carlsson.

Background

Regional strategy 2010-2015 The total appropriation for the entire strategy period 2010-2015 is around SEK 3.5 billion, including the Government's special anti-corruption and climate initiatives and research cooperation. The sum of payments for 2010 and 2011 will total approximately SEK 570 million and approximately SEK 650 million respectively. For the period 2010-2012, a total of SEK 240 million will be used for the Government's special climate initiative. For the strategy period, Sida will use at least SEK 150 million to combat corruption.

Support to Africa's leading institutions will increase over the strategy period. An increasing portion of support will be channelled through the African Union (AU) - Africa's continental cooperation organisation with 53 members and its headquarters in Addis Ababa - and regional economic communities .

African Development Fund Needs are very great in most African countries. In the negotiations, Sweden has consistently acted to make the ADF more effective while maintaining its strategic focus, so that initiatives are better able to meet the actual needs of recipient countries. For example, the ADF's initiatives in private sector development and for increased regional integration and countries' own responsibility, particularly for anti-corruption, are now being strengthened.

The replenishment of the ADF is to result in increased investment in vital infrastructure (roads and railways, renewable energy and clean water), good governance and regional integration, and special initiatives for weak states. Initiatives to tackle climate change will be integrated more clearly into overall activities.

The final negotiations have been difficult. Some of the larger traditional donors reduced their support due to reduced development cooperation appropriations. By contrast, other newer and smaller donors increased their support. Despite harsher budgetary situations in many countries, overall agreement was reached on increased resources.

The African Development Fund (ADF) was established in 1972 and is part of the African Development Bank (AfDB) founded in 1964. The Bank's overall mandate is to contribute to sustainable economic and social development in Africa via loans and donations to states and the private sector. Through the ADF, the Bank offers concessional loans and donations to the poorest countries. It also finances private projects and loans to medium- income countries on largely commercial terms.

In 2009, the ADF approved loans and donations worth the equivalent of SEK 21 billion. This was an exceptional year, due to the financial crisis, and the levels are expected to decrease from 2010 onwards. The African Development Bank has 53 member countries in Africa and 26 from the rest of the world. Sweden's share of the ADF is 4.35 per cent, which makes us the tenth largest donor.

Contact Peter Larsson +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 13 October 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Modern and realistic aid When the budget for development cooperation increases in 2011, the Government will strengthen Sweden's initiatives in the areas of particular priority within development cooperation - democracy and human rights, environment and climate, and gender equality and the role of women in development. The focus on Africa will be strengthened, along with Sweden's humanitarian commitments. Additionally, there will be a special Millennium Development Goal initiative targeting children and young people, and investment in Business for Development (B4D) and Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).

The development cooperation budget will increase by around SEK 3.7 billion next year as a result of the positive economic trend in Sweden. In 2011, the development cooperation budget will total SEK 35.2 billion, which is estimated to represent one per cent of GNI. Deductions of around SEK 4.7 billion are made from this Related budget for refugee costs, EU development aid and contributions to the regular budgets of certain UN bodies. These deductions are classified as development cooperation by the OECD-DAC. After deductions, Fact sheet: Ministry for development cooperation totals SEK 30.5 billion, an increase of around SEK 4 billion compared with 2010. Foreign Affairs proposals for the Budget for 2011

Concerted humanitarian efforts In order to meet the constantly growing humanitarian needs in the world, the Government will increase humanitarian aid by around SEK 700 million.

Stronger focus on Europe Swedish development cooperation will have an even stronger focus on Africa: funding for bilateral development cooperation with African countries will increase to around SEK 5.6 billion, for example. Furthermore, our commitment to Africa will be strengthened via the adoption of a new regional strategy for Africa, focusing on democracy/human rights (specifically anti-corruption), trade and the environment.

Stronger initiatives for democracy and human rights The Government will strengthen its already strong commitment to democracy and human rights by increasing its special targeted investment in agents for change working for democratisation and freedom of expression by SEK 30 million. These measures will thereby have a budget of SEK 150 million in 2011. The Government will also allocate special funds for freedom of expression initiatives within the framework of global development initiatives. Particular importance is attached to access to information and communication technology tools.

Stronger environmental and climate initiatives The Government's four-year climate initiative in development assistance will continue with the aim of contributing as effectively as possible to long-term adaptation efforts, particularly in the poorest countries, and contributing to developing countries' measures to reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases. In 2011, over SEK 1.3 billion kronor will be paid out as part of this climate initiative. The environmental profile of development assistance will be further strengthened by increasing funding for environmental loans. The Government will also increase support to water initiatives within the framework of global development initiatives.

Stronger initiatives for gender equality and the role of women in development Efforts toward Millennium Development Goal 5 will continue, with the aim of helping reduce maternal mortality by three quarters by 2015. Sweden will give special support to the new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and concentrate on helping to shape the direction of its activities. Swedish support to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will increase compared with 2010. The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security in conflict and post- conflict countries will be a priority.

Stronger food initiative against hunger and malnutrition The special food initiative connected to the food crisis, comprising SEK 100 million to combat hunger and malnutrition, was initiated in 2009 and followed up in 2010, and will continue in 2011. Funding will increase to SEK 225 million, SEK 25 million of which will be allocated for food-related research.

New Millennium Development Goal initiative for the children and young people of the world To further strengthen the Government's efforts to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goal to halve poverty by 2015, the Government will undertake a special initiative targeting children and young people. The initiative will have a budget of SEK 500 million and will focus on children and young people's right to health, primary education (MDG 2) and employment. Part of the funding will be channelled through Swedish civil society organisations.

The focal points for the initiative will include reducing infant mortality (MDG 4) through measures to prevent and fight diarrhoea and diseases caused by polluted water and a lack of sanitation. Increased support for research on poverty-related diseases, which primarily affect children, is expected to help reduce ill health in children in the longer term as part of the initiative.

Increased support to improve the business climate in poor countries The Government will increase Sweden's contribution to poverty reduction that is sustainable in the long term through increased support for the driving forces behind development in the form of growth and private sector development. The main aim is to help improve the business climate in poor countries.

The Government considers three funding channels particularly important to promoting economic growth: Swedfund International AB development loans and guarantees, and cooperation with development banks. The Government will strengthen Swedfund's role via an injection of SEK 250 million to the company, at least 80 per cent of which will be directed at investments in Africa.

New initiative on the contribution of information and communication technologies and business to development (ICT4D and B4D) Special funding will be allocated for innovative methods and capacity development in the areas of Business for Development (B4D) and Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). ICT4D is about development cooperation using information and communication technology to help improve opportunities for development, entrepreneurship, accountability, participation, growth, freedom and knowledge. This form of development cooperation could involve creating access to ICT by supplying training, infrastructure, technical equipment and internet connections. The B4D programme seeks new forms of dialogue and cooperation with the business sector. The aim is to contribute, together with companies, to reducing poverty and environmental impact, creating more and better jobs and thereby increasing growth.

Increased research cooperation An increase of SEK 150 million in support to research cooperation will be allocated to strengthen partner countries' research capacity and promote development-oriented research. SEK 25 million of this will form part of the food initiative and SEK 75 million will form part of the Millennium Development Goal initiative focusing on children's health.

Increasing development assistance via Swedish civil society organisations Development assistance via Swedish civil society organisations will increase by SEK 357 million in 2011 compared with 2010. SEK 200 million of this will be allocated within the Millennium Development Goal initiative to target children's right to health and education.

Open aid with a transparency guarantee 'Open aid' is the name of the Government's continuing reforms of Sweden's development cooperation. Measures will be taken to create more effective and open development cooperation, including using the opportunities offered by globalisation and technological developments. Open aid builds on the need for increased openness and transparency in order to increase knowledge of development cooperation and improve the conditions for accountability and scrutiny, promote fresh thinking and increase cooperation with other parts of society. The Government's intention is that transparency and the participation of, and cooperation with, more actors should permeate all development cooperation. As part of this, a transparency guarantee has been introduced in Swedish development cooperation, which means that aid information should be actively publicised and made readily available and comparable in an open format.

Contact Peter Larsson +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 11 October 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press invitation: Gunilla Carlsson to present the Budget Bill in Linköping On Tuesday 12 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson will present the Government's Budget Bill for 2011 at Linköping University.

Valid press credentials are required for the press meeting.

At 12.15, Gunilla Carlsson will hold a lunch seminar on the theme of "Modern and realistic aid" in which she will describe development cooperation in the Budget Bill. Room C, C-building, Campus Valla, Linköping University, Hans Meijers väg.

We look forward to seeing you.

Time and place Time: Tuesday 12 October, 11.00 Place: Campus Valla, Linköping University, Hans Meijers väg A-building, entrance 15-17, room A34.

Contact Peter Larsson +46 8 405 10 00

Press release 05 October 2010 Prime Minister's Office Sweden's new government Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has appointed the following government ministers today, 5 October 2010

Ministers and their press contacts are listed below. For new ministers, the press contact given is temporary and applies until further notice.

Prime Minister: Fredrik Reinfeldt Roberta Alenius +46 70 270 72 17

Markus Nordström +46 70 238 67 30

Minister for EU Affairs: Birgitta Ohlsson Jenny Sonesson +46 70 308 44 06

Minister for Justice: Beatrice Ask Martin Valfridsson +46 70 274 10 22

Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy: Tobias Billström Markus Friberg +46 702 61 30 84

Minister for Foreign Affairs: Carl Bildt Irena Busic +46 70 271 02 55

Minister for International Development Cooperation: Gunilla Carlsson Peter Larsson +46 70 283 95 97

Minister for Trade: Ewa Björling Monica Ohlsson +46 70 296 18 99

Minister for Defence: Sten Tolgfors Mikael Östlund +46 70 297 43 28

Minister for Health and Social Affairs: Göran Hägglund Petra Kjellarsson +46 70 646 21 12 Minister for Children and the Elderly: Maria Larsson Niclas Thorselius +46 70 509 50 65

Minister for Public Administration and Housing: Stefan Attefall Martin Kits +46 70 535 07 87

Minister for Social Security: Ulf Kristersson Niclas Bengtsson +46 70 353 78 22

Minister for Finance: Anders Borg Daniel Valiollahi +46 72 225 45 47

Minister for Financial Markets: Peter Norman Anna Charlotta Johansson +46 70 356 30 32

Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister: Jan Björklund Camilla Hansson +46 70 206 99 09

Minister for Gender Equality (Deputy Minister for Education): Nyamko Sabuni Yoav Bartal +46 70 357 51 94

Minister for Rural Affairs: Eskil Erlandsson Anna-Karin Nyman +46 70 519 01 59

Minister for the Environment: Andreas Carlgren Lennart Bodén +46 70 950 22 45

Minister for Enterprise and Energy: Maud Olofsson Håkan Lind +46 70 269 11 98

Minister for Information Technology and Regional Affairs (Deputy Minister for Enterprise): Anna-Karin Hatt Frank Nilsson +46 70 690 24 33

Minister for Communications: Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd Markus Sjöqvist +46 76 107 20 36

Minister for Culture and Sport: Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth Sara Bengtsson +46 70 358 77 91 Minister for Employment: Hillevi Engström Sebastian Carlsson +46 73 769 22 77

Minister for Integration (Deputy Minister for Employment): Erik Ullenhag Anna Neuman +46 70 301 47 90

Contact Roberta Alenius Presschef hos Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 49 04 Markus Nordström Press Secretary to Fredrik Reinfeldt +46 8 405 48 72 +46 70 238 67 30 email to Markus Nordström

Press release 05 October 2010 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Swedish election monitors to Azerbaijan The Government has decided to send six election observers and one statistician to Azerbaijan ahead of the parliamentary elections on 7 November.

"It is important that the elections in Azerbaijan are conducted in a free and fair manner and in accordance with international standards," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The decision to send election monitors follows a request from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Sida is responsible for the recruitment and training of Swedish election observers. Questions about recruitment may be addressed to Sida's election monitoring group.

Contact Peter Larsson +46 8 405 10 00