Foto: Author ZhengZhou. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Global cooperation and a strong UN

We need more international cooperation, not less

Play video

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.

Vienna has become the first line of defence in diplomacy

During the second half of this year, Sweden holds the chairmanship of the Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) within the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). After a few quiet years during the 1990s, the OSCE has once again become a stage for world politics.

“For Sweden, this is a question of our national security. We depend on the European security order and, as a small and militarily non-aligned country, we must stand by our principles and commitments. We are on the front line here,” says Ulrika Funered, Ambassador and head of Sweden’s OSCE Delegation in Vienna.

Increased Swedish and international support for Somalia

Development in Somalia is moving forward but remains in a critical phase.

Sweden’s new strategy for development cooperation with Somalia (adopted by the Government this year) doubles the volume of Swedish support.

Play video

We continue to push for a strong and effective UN

The UN makes a difference in the world. Sweden makes a difference in the UN. We believe in the United Nations. 

As a member of the UNSC 2017-2018 we continue to push for a strong and effective UN. This is how.

@SwedenUN on Twitter

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

Up close and personal: Agda Rössel

She was the world’s first woman ambassador to the United Nations when she took office, at the height of the Cold War. Yet Agda Rössel remains relatively little known – in some ways forgotten.

We want to change this. Here is the story of Adga Rössel – pioneer and role model.

Play video

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.

Play video

#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

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.

More from Global cooperation and a strong UN

#StandUp4HumanRights: René Cassin

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...

#StandUp4HumanRights: Charles Habib Malik

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...

#StandUp4HumanRights: Peng Chun Chang

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...

#StandUp4HumanRights: William Hodgson

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...

#StandUp4HumanRights: John Peters Humphrey

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...

#StandUp4HumanRights: Eleanor Roosevelt

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone in human history. It was signed in Paris on 10 December 1948 – 70...
Show more