During Sweden´s two-year membership of the UN Security Council 2017–2018 all of our work was underpinned by international law, human rights, gender equality and a humanitarian perspective. Listening, creativity, active diplomacy – and a determination to achieve results – were the hallmarks of our approach. We now continue to assume our share of the responsibility and repay the confidence that UN Member States placed in us when they elected us 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 our membership in the Security Council, 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”.

Sweden’s work in the Security Council took its cue from the DNA of Swedish diplomacy: international law, human rights, gender equality and a humanitarian perspective. Our work is imbued with 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.