Policy Updates

On February 12, 2025, the Swedish Government presented its Foreign Declaration, which emphasized local area security, trade, and regional issues while refraining from criticizing the Trump administration's development policies.

The declaration continues to describe gender equality as a core value but shifted focus towards economic empowerment rather than rights, with insufficient references to the UN's agenda for women, peace, and security.

Concord raised concerns regarding Sweden's commitment to global humanitarian issues during a time of heightened international instability, particularly in lights of the omissions of US criticisms. The decision not to mention the Trump administration's saga against USAID was noted as particularly striking, undermining Sweden's potential impact on global development efforts.

Concord also criticized that the climate crisis was inadequately addressed as a security concern, and the declaration lacked urgency in responding to the needs of those most affected by climate change. While affirming that international law and human rights are foundational to Sweden's foreign policy, Concord asserted that the government has not fully recognized CSOs as agents of change, limiting their role to that of providers of humanitarian assistance.

Concord applauded that, according to the declaration the government intends to focus on "forgotten crises" such as those in the DRC and Sudan, but the reduction of support for development and peacebuilding in these regions raised concerns about the effectiveness of integrated approaches necessary for long-term solutions.

Although the Swedish government aims to maintain its status as a significant humanitarian donor, recent cuts to development budgets threaten to compromise Sweden's contributions to global development. Concord called on the Swedish government to articulate a clear strategy that balances national interests with global responsibilities.

On February 12, 2025, representatives from Research Sweden and Concord voiced their concerns regarding what it described as Sweden's diminishing commitment to global sustainable development and 'abandonment' of Agenda 2030, particularly in light of the US' apparent retreat from its role as leading OECD DAC donor.

With only five years remaining to achieve the UN SDGs, Concord emphasized that the apparent lack of focus on Agenda 2030 within Swedish foreign policy is seen as detrimental, especially during a time marked by heightened global uncertainty and instability.

Recent shifts in Swedish government policy have led to reduced funding and fewer assignments linked to the agenda. A recent study revealed a significant decline in appropriations related to Agenda 2030, dropping from 19.5% in 2022 to under 1% in 2025. Additionally, the dismantling of the national coordinator for Agenda 2030 and the weakening of statistical monitoring further undermine the initiative’s effectiveness.

Concord noted that the Swedish government’s withdrawal of research funding for global development issues raises further alarms, as it threatens Sweden's position as a knowledge leader on sustainability. The absence of a clear focus on global development in the new research bill could compromise Sweden's ability to contribute effectively to international sustainability efforts. Concord highlighted the urgent need for the government to refocus its efforts on fulfilling its commitments under Agenda 2030, as abandoning it could jeopardize Sweden's influence, credibility, and security on the global stage.

Concord called on the Swedish government to outline concrete steps for reinvigorating its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and demonstrating how Sweden can contribute meaningfully to achieving its global development goals.

On January 15, 2025, the Swedish government announced a SEK4.3 billion (US$426 million) investment in global health development, specifically targeting SRHR.

This funding will support a five-year strategy, implemented by Sida, from 2025 to 2029, aimed at addressing pressing health challenges exacerbated by crises, conflicts, climate change, and global health threats.

The initiative responds to the alarming pushback against human rights, particularly affecting girls, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals, which has drastically reduced access to essential medical services. The strategy focuses on the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on improving health conditions, strengthening health systems, and enhancing disease monitoring.

Key activities will include increasing access to maternity care, contraceptives, and safe abortions, ultimately aiming to reduce practices such as female genital cutting and child marriage, as well as preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe births. Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa stated that this initiative will help ensure more children receive basic vaccinations and contain infectious diseases at earlier stages.

On December 17, 2024, 20 Swedish ODA organizations strongly criticized the government’s new development strategy, claiming that SEK3 billion (US$290 million) intended for poverty reduction is being redirected to migration control measures.

In an op-ed published in Dagens Industri, the organizations argue that the Tidö Agreement negotiated with far-right support, marks a fundamental shift in Sweden’s ODA priorities. Secretary General of Erikshjälpen Mattias Ingeson and Secretary General of Afrikagrupperna Louise Lindfors, joined by 18 other ODA leaders, stated that instead of assisting those fleeing conflict and crises, evidence suggests these measures have led to violations of human rights and the principles of the Refugee Convention.

The new strategy allocated significant funding to border police and migration management in transit countries. However, ODA organizations contend that this undermines Sweden’s long-standing development principles and argue that tackling the root causes of migration requires prioritizing core development assistance over border control measures.

The protest letter was signed by leaders from prominent Swedish ODA organizations, including Act Swedish Church, Diakonia, ForumCiv, International Rescue Committee, and the Swedish Afghanistan Committee, representing a broad coalition of Sweden’s development sector.

On November 26, 2024, the Swedish government approved an additional SEK50 million (US$5 million) in funding to UNFPA to support its operations in Ukraine; the funding is intended to address the impact of Russia's invasion on SRHR.

Sweden's SEK50 million (US$5 million) contribution from the ODA budget will be channeled through UNFPA's Humanitarian Thematic Fund to support operations in Ukraine.

According to Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa, Russian attacks have compromised access to essential healthcare, particularly maternal care and safe abortion services in the regions affected by the war. The need for humanitarian assistance has risen during winter, with many forced to flee Ukraine. Dousa noted that the support will help to support safe maternity care by building birthing rooms that are better equipped to withstand Russia’s attacks.

On November 26, 2024, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa announced plans to end Sweden's bilateral development assistance to Yemen, and emphasized that the phase-out will be carried out responsibly, with Sida concluding operations in June 30, 2025.

Dousa expressed that the increasingly destructive security situation led to the decision to phase out development assistance. The situation hindered effective monitoring of the development initiatives.

The decision aligned with the Swedish government's ODA Reform Agenda, which emphasized long-term planning, transparency, and efficiency. Swedish development assistance to Yemen has totaled approximately SEK80 million (US$8 million) annually in recent years.

Sweden will remain a major humanitarian donor to Yemen, where millions continue to require urgent assistance. For 2024, Swedish humanitarian assistance to Yemen amounted to SEK287 million (US$28 million). Sweden provided substantial core funding to several UN agencies active in Yemen, including UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, and WFP.

On November 5, 2024, Sweden has announced a humanitarian assistance package worth SEK110 million (US$10 million) to Ukraine aimed at helping civilians cope with damaged infrastructure and ongoing security threats.

The assistance package, unveiled by Sweden's new Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, focuses on providing heat and electricity to Ukrainian civilians as temperatures drop and Russian attacks on infrastructure continue.

The announcement comes as Ukraine faces multiple humanitarian challenges nearly two years into Russia's full-scale invasion. Beyond the immediate threat of Russian attacks, millions of internally displaced Ukrainians are grappling with the dangers of widespread landmines and increasing reports of GBV.

The Swedish aid will be distributed among four major humanitarian organizations, with the largest portion, about US$5 million, going to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for winter preparedness, including heating, electricity, food, and medical supplies. The UNHCR will receive approximately US$2 million to assist internally displaced persons.

Notably, US$3 million will be directed to the UNDP mine clearance efforts, addressing what experts say could be a decades-long challenge for Ukraine. The country's vast agricultural lands, known for their fertile black soil, remain particularly affected by mines and unexploded ordnance. The remaining funds will support the UNFPA work addressing women's health needs and combating GBV, which humanitarian workers say has increased among vulnerable displaced populations.

On October 9, 2024, South Korea attended the 11^th Steering Committee Meeting of the Ukraine Donor Platform held in Rome, Italy.

South Korean Representative Byung Ha Jung presented the government’s efforts to support Ukraine’s reconstruction in education, infrastructure, and health and medical care. He also held bilateral meetings with representatives of Ukraine, the EU, the UK, Sweden, and other countries to discuss cooperation. Through this participation, the South Korean government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction.

On October 9, 2024, in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, the Swedish government announced a significant increase in funding, pledging an additional SEK84 million (US$8 million) to support relief efforts.

The decision comes as the UN estimates that over one million people in Lebanon are in urgent need of emergency assistance, with hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes.

The announcement followed the UN's Flash Appeal for Lebanon launched on October 1, 2024, which highlighted the critical need for shelter, food, clean water, medicine, and medical care. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Sweden is a major contributor, has already allocated US$10 million to the crisis.

Sweden's latest assistance package brings its total humanitarian support to Lebanon for 2024 to SEK158 million (US$14 million), more than doubling its previous commitment. The funds will be distributed through various channels, including:

• SEK53 million (US$5 million) to the UNHCR for cross-border assistance between Lebanon and Syria;
• SEK7 million (US$630,000) to the Lebanese Red Cross via the IFRC;
• SEK20 million (US$2 million) to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UNOCHA; and
• SEK4 million (US$315,000) to Save the Children in Lebanon.

On September 17, 2024, Sweden announced a reduction in its ODA budget as part of the autumn budget proposition, marking a shift in the country's long-standing commitment to international development assistance.

Newly appointed Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa revealed that the annual ODA allocation will drop from SEK56 billion (US$5.4 billion) to SEK53 billion (US$5.1 billion) between 2026-2028. This represents a cut of SEK3 billion (US$291 million) per year compared to the 2023-2025 budget.

Dousa stated that Sweden is undergoing a restructuring process that focuses on efficiency to areas most in need. However, he declined to specify which areas of foreign assistance would face the most significant cuts.

The early announcement aims to give Sida time to adjust their priorities and operations.

Justifying the decision, Dousa pointed to pressing domestic challenges citing needs in policing, defense, and welfare services that could benefit from the redirected funds.

This reduction aligns with the government's earlier decision, made in partnership with the Sweden Democrats, to abandon Sweden's long-held goal of allocating 1% of its GNI to ODA.

Dousa acknowledged the difficulties in reaching a consensus among the four coalition parties but stressed their united front in making tough decisions. He assured that Ukraine would continue to be the largest recipient of Swedish assistance, underscoring the country's commitment to supporting nations in crisis.