Gunilla Carlsson takes part in conference on aid effectiveness
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson gave the opening address Monday the 30th at an annual conference on aid and development issues at Stockholm School of Economics. The conference - which is jointly arranged by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics and East European Economies at the School of Economics - brings together international and Swedish development economists to discuss subjects including the challenges involved in making aid more effective.
Minister for Foreign Affairs comments on arrest of Ratko Mladic
"We congratulate Serbia and President Boris Tadic on the arrest today of Ratko Mladic. It is extremely significant, in that it means we can draw a line under a tragic chapter in the history of Europe."
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.
Future of Doha Round on agenda as EU trade ministers meet
EU trade ministers meet in Brussels tomorrow, 13 May, within the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council. The Doha Round will be discussed during the meeting.
Ewa Björling leads transatlantic project to boost trade
Tomorrow, 12 May, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will lead the "Trans-Atlantic Task Force on Trade", a project group to promote increased transatlantic trade and analyse how the EU and the United States can work together to strengthen free trade and the ongoing Doha Round negotiations.
Outside the meeting room in Greenland's capital. From the left: foreign ministers Lene Espersen (Denmark), Carl Bildt (Sweden), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (USA) and Under-Secretary of State Jaakko Laajava (Finland). Photo: Joakim Larsson
Search and Rescue (SAR) agreement signed at Arctic meeting
Foreign ministers from countries around the North Pole agreed on Thursday on a joint aeronautical and maritime search and rescue capability in the event that a major accident occurs in the region. For the first time, the Arctic Council, which includes the five Nordic countries plus the US, Russia, Canada and representatives of indigenous peoples, has signed an agreement that is legally binding for the organisation's member states.
Swedish strategy for Arctic region adopted
The Government adopted a Swedish strategy for policy in the Arctic region on Thursday, the same day that Sweden formally takes over the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, a cooperation organisation for states with territory and borders north of the Arctic Circle. The Chairmanship runs for a two-year period.
Environmental issues high on the agenda
The Arctic has unique nature and is very sensitive to environmental impact. The area is severely affected by the ongoing process of climate change. Temperatures have risen twice as quickly in the Arctic as elsewhere on Earth.
The aim of the international operation in Libya is to protect civilians. Here, a doctor on the roof of the Benghazi court building. Photo: Aljazeera English/Flickr (CC)
Go-ahead for Libya operation
On Friday the Riksdag gave its approval for the Government's proposal to send Swedish armed forces to Libya. Sweden's participation will contribute to maintaining a no-fly zone. The operation involves a Swedish armed force of around 130 people, consisting of air defence forces and support resources, who will be able to participate for a maximum of three months.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt deplores death in Côte d'Ivoire
"I am deeply saddened to learn that Swedish citizen Zahra Abidi has fallen victim to the ongoing conflict in Côte d'Ivoire," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt in a statement on Friday.
The Internet - a question of human rights
We must reduce the 'digital divide' in the world and transfer technologies between rich and poor countries, according to Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression:
"The Internet is ultimately a matter of human rights and is strongly linked to the UN Millennium Development Goals," he says.
Closer economic cooperation between Sweden and Russia
On 30 March, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will receive Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is visiting Stockholm with a broad delegation. The meetings will take place within the framework of the Swedish-Russian Steering Committee, which is a trade and economic cooperation forum at ministerial level.
