Photo: Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo
Global cooperation and a strong UN

Sweden in the UN Security Council

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In July, Sweden held the Presidency of the UN Security Council. This was Sweden’s second and final Presidency during our two-year membership in 2017–2018. Sweden continues to assume its share of the joint responsibility and to live up to the confidence that UN Member States have placed in us by electing Sweden to the Security Council.

The UN and multilateral cooperation are needed more than ever. We need a global rules-based system for peace and security. And we need to create the conditions for development, gender equality, and sustainable and inclusive societies, where together we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

During its Presidency of the Security Council in July, Sweden assumed responsibility for the Council’s entire agenda and continue to contribute to the Council fulfilling its main function under the Charter of the United Nations – maintaining international peace and security.

We built on the constructive climate of dialogue established during the Secretary-General’s annual informal working meeting with the Security Council, held at Dag Hammarskjöld’s estate in Backåkra, Sweden, in April. In connection with this visit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Sweden as a “bridge-builder in the Security Council”. These efforts will continue.

Sweden’s work in the Security Council continues to take its cue from the DNA of Swedish diplomacy: international law, human rights, gender equality and a humanitarian perspective. Our work is permeated by the fundamental insight that peace and security concern everyone. Women must be given a place at the negotiating table. Protecting children today will prevent the conflicts of tomorrow.

We want the Security Council to be better at addressing new risks and challenges, such as the link between climate change and security.

We also want to continue to provide the opportunity for those affected by the crises of our time to share their perspectives in the Security Council’s meetings.

We need more international cooperation, not less. This is how we can best tackle the threats, crises and conflicts of our time.

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Sweden as President of the UN Security Council

To address the conflicts, crises and challenges of our time, the world needs more international cooperation – not less. Our presidency has ended but Sweden remains committed to contributing to the work of the #UNSC until 31 December 2018.

@SwedenUN on Twitter

Follow Sweden’s day-to-day work in the Security Council via the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations.

New resolution adopted during the Open Debate 2018 on Children and Armed Conflict

Sweden has a long history of working for the rights of the child. During our two years as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, one of our focus areas is children and armed conflict (CAAC).

The aim of work in this area is the protection of children, respect for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international humanitarian law.

Women, peace and security – one of Sweden’s priorities

Increased gender equality between women and men is one of Sweden’s most important foreign policy priorities. Women, peace and security is also one of Sweden’s priorities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council – and one of the themes of Sweden’s Presidency of the Security Council in July 2018.

Climate change – of the greatest threats to our security

Even if the link between climate change and security is complex, there is no doubt that it has a negative impact on our security. This is particularly true of regions that are already at risk and with limited opportunities to manage major crises and events.

Through its work on the UN Security Council, Sweden is actively addressing the issue of the link between climate and security.

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#NoNewNames – focus on prevention today to save lives tomorrow

We didn’t fail to see conflicts coming – we failed to respond in time. It is time to step up. To assess and act on the risks of violent conflicts must lie at the heart of the UN’s work. As a member of the UN Security Council, Sweden is fully committed to this end.

Read the article: The United Nations Must Help Prevent Future Atrocities

Unique UN meeting in idyllic Backåkra

There was a hint of summer in the air on that Saturday morning in April when the United Nations Security Council cortège advanced along the tiny gravel road towards Dag Hammarskjöld’s farm, Backåkra, outside Ystad on Sweden’s southern coast. For the first time ever, the Security Council held its annual working meeting outside the United States.

UN awards Sweden for feminist foreign policy

Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström has been awarded a prize by the UN body UN Women in New York. She received the Agent of Change Award for her commitment to gender equality and her work to strengthen women’s rights.

Sweden has a long history of working for the rights of the child. During our two years as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, one of our focus areas is children and armed conflict (CAAC).
The aim of work in this area is the protection of children, respect for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international humanitarian law.

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