This year's foreign policy declaration prioritizes security over sustainable development. Cooperation within the EU, the Nordic countries and the Baltic states is highlighted, while dependence on the US is to be reduced. International partnerships are prioritized based on trade and security interests, and humanitarian aid is given greater space than long-term development cooperation.
When Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard read out the government's foreign declaration on February 18, she did so in a security policy situation characterized by war in Europe and weakened transatlantic cooperation. During Donald Trump's second term, the United States has shown a reduced commitment to European security and in several cases questioned international cooperation. During his first year back in power, the American administration has, among other things, threatened to take over Greenland, called Canada the "51st state" of the United States and presented a new security strategy in which Europe is described as a weakened continent.
In the foreign policy declaration, the government states that the transatlantic relationship is thus entering a “new era”, characterised by actions that are perceived to be contrary to European values of global cooperation and international law. Against this background, the need to strengthen Europe’s ability to take greater responsibility for its own security is emphasised. This year’s foreign policy declaration thus signals a foreign policy orientation in which the EU is given a prominent role as a platform for Sweden’s security and foreign policy cooperation, in parallel with the transatlantic partnership. This implies a role that is less dependent on US security guarantees and where continued support for Ukraine is presented as a prerequisite for Europe's security.
For the first time during this term of office, there is also no mention of Sweden's commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation in the declaration. Something that Swedish Peace and Arbitration Associationn warns that diplomacy and preventive work are being deprioritized in favor of defense cooperation and the export of defense materials.
Broader global cooperation beyond traditional alliances
In addition to traditional cooperation within the EU, the Nordic countries and the Baltics, partnerships with countries in other parts of the world are also highlighted. Cooperation with countries in Asia and Oceania is mainly motivated by trade and global security, while Africa and Latin America are only briefly mentioned in connection with broader partnerships with “like-minded countries that care about and maintain common institutions and rules of the game”. This can be understood in light of the fact that the minister emphasizes that global challenges cannot be handled only together with our closest allies, but also requires cooperation with actors outside our own circle.
This indicates a foreign policy direction in which Sweden is increasingly trying to broaden its international cooperation, reduce unilateral dependencies and strengthen relations even outside the traditional transatlantic sphere and Europe. In line with a broader international trend, where, for example, Canada and the United Kingdom has recently deepened cooperation with China in areas such as climate and trade.
Sweden focuses on short-term humanitarian assistance
In previous foreign policy declarations, long-term development cooperation has had a more prominent role and has been justified with reference to poverty reduction and its importance in promoting free and well-functioning democratic societies. This year's declaration lacks explicit references to development cooperation, instead focusing on humanitarian aid. Among the recipient countries, only Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza are mentioned, compared with the previous year when the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen were also highlighted.
This is happening in parallel with the fact that long-term support to several low-income countries and conflict-affected states has decreased. The fact that long-term development assistance is not highlighted in the declaration is in line with statements by Minister for Development Cooperation and Trade Dousa and other government representatives, who tend to focus on humanitarian assistance rather than long-term investments in democracy, human rights and poverty reduction.
Sustainable development – not a task for foreign policy?
Malmer Stenergard also highlights that Sweden has one of the world's most generous climate aid programs. At the same time, support for Adjustment Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund from SEK 130 million each from 2025 to zero SEK in 2026. This is despite the fact that a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that the world is still far from achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, climate change is described primarily as a cooperation issue, rather than as a crisis or security risk linked to, for example, conflict or migration.
Audio Civil society platform CONCORD points out in their analysis, there are, as in previous years, no references to Agenda 2030 and the global goals for sustainable development. They write that the government is thus avoiding “the commitment and importance of international cooperation on sustainable development completely”. CONCORD also notes that there is no direct reference to civil society as a partner in the implementation of aid policy. An actor that in previous foreign policy declarations has been highlighted as central in its role in promoting democracy, human rights and local ownership in development cooperation.
Ambitions for rights – but reduced support for SRHR
As in the previous year, the foreign policy declaration states that “international law, including the UN Charter, is a cornerstone of Sweden’s foreign and security policy” and highlights that a world order where the right of the strong takes precedence over international law is not acceptable. The American and Israeli attacks on Iran once again put these positions to the test. The government also emphasizes the defense of human rights and freedoms and the equal value of all people, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation or religion.
Furthermore, the government continues to highlight the importance of strengthening the rights and empowerment of women and girls. At the same time, figures from RFSU extension that aid to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and global health has decreased by around SEK 900 million between 2021 and 2024, corresponding to a decline of 25 percent. The decrease began in 2022, when the share of aid to SRHR was reduced in connection with reprioritizations as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During the period 2023–2024, the share of Swedish aid to SRHR has continued to decline and has landed at just under five percent of the total aid budget.
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