🇸🇪 Sweden - Foreign Minister Addresses United Nations General Debate, 78th Session | #UNGA

Summary

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström addresses the UN General Assembly, condemning Russia's military aggression and its impact on global security and food supply. He discusses Sweden's support for Ukraine, humanitarian aid, and NATO membership. Billström also emphasizes the importance of the 2030 Agenda, sustainable development, and climate action. He touches on the role of technology, human rights, and the need for a rules-based international order, calling for collective action to overcome global challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Russia's military actions in Georgia (2008), Ukraine (2014), and Syria (2015) demonstrate a pattern of disregard for international law and the undermining of European security.
• 🛑 Russia is accused of weaponizing food by blocking grain exports from Ukraine, exacerbating the global food crisis and impacting vulnerable populations.
• 🚢 'Solidarity Lanes' have been established as alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain, with Sweden and the EU increasing humanitarian food aid and support for local food production.
• 🏰 Sweden has applied for NATO membership, marking a historic shift from its long-standing policy of military non-alignment, aiming to enhance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The Swedish government condemns Russia's violations of international law, including attacks on civilian infrastructure and the abduction of Ukrainian children, and supports the establishment of a tribunal for crimes against Ukraine.
• 🌱 Sweden emphasizes the importance of the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development goals, highlighting the need for increased effectiveness and efficiency in the UN development system.
• 💸 Sweden is committed to providing 0.7% of its gross national income in development assistance, focusing on poverty alleviation, health, human rights, and gender equality.
• 🌡️ Climate change is a critical issue, with Sweden calling for higher ambitions in climate action and increased climate finance at the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.
• 🔬 Emerging technologies, including AI, offer opportunities for addressing global challenges but also pose risks that require a shared vision and international cooperation.
• 🌐 Sweden is co-facilitating the development of a global digital compact to outline shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future, emphasizing the importance of human rights and democratic values in the digital age.

Q & A

What key events does the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden highlight as signals that Russia would use military force to achieve its political goals?

The Minister mentions the war in Georgia in 2008, the aggression in Ukraine since 2014, and Russia's involvement in Syria since 2015 as key events showing Russia's willingness to use military force.

How does Sweden view Russia's actions in Ukraine, particularly in relation to food security?

Sweden views Russia's actions, including blocking grain deliveries and destroying Ukrainian grain and port infrastructure, as exacerbating the global food crisis and harming the world's most vulnerable populations.

What steps is Sweden taking to support Ukraine and global food security?

Sweden supports the EU's 'solidarity lanes,' which help export food from Ukraine, and has increased humanitarian food aid globally. Sweden also backs efforts to ensure alternative routes for food exports.

Why did Sweden decide to apply for NATO membership, and what impact does it believe this will have?

Sweden applied for NATO membership as a historic decision to enhance its security in response to the war in Ukraine. It believes this move, alongside Finland's membership, will improve stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.

What does Sweden demand regarding accountability for Russia’s actions in Ukraine?

Sweden demands accountability for Russia's violations of international law, including war crimes and the crime of aggression in Ukraine. It supports the establishment of a tribunal to hold Russia accountable.

How does Sweden perceive the global challenges related to poverty reduction and the 2030 agenda?

Sweden recognizes that poverty reduction has slowed, humanitarian needs are rising, and climate change is worsening global challenges. The country stresses the importance of regaining momentum toward achieving the 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

How is Sweden contributing to global climate action and sustainable development?

Sweden is a major donor of humanitarian aid and development assistance, focusing on climate adaptation, poverty reduction, and supporting vulnerable populations. It also promotes innovative solutions in climate technology, such as battery production and fossil-free steel.

What stance does Sweden take on the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence?

Sweden sees emerging technologies, including AI, as offering significant potential for addressing global challenges like climate change and public health. However, it also recognizes the need for international cooperation to manage the associated risks.

How has Sweden responded to recent incidents of Quran desecration in the country?

Sweden condemns the Quran desecrations, viewing them as acts of intolerance committed by extremists seeking to create division. The Swedish government strongly rejects such actions and emphasizes its commitment to dialogue and freedom of religion.

What concerns does Sweden express about nuclear weapons and international security?

Sweden expresses serious concerns about Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons, its readiness to conduct nuclear tests, and its deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus. Sweden calls for renewed multilateral efforts to address these threats and uphold arms control agreements.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Russia’s Aggression and Global Food Crisis

In this speech, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs addresses the ongoing Russian aggression, starting with the wars in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. He highlights how Russia is using military force to pursue political ambitions and re-create its former colonial empire. Russia's actions, including weaponizing food by blockading grain shipments from Ukraine, have worsened the global food crisis. He emphasizes the importance of international solidarity, noting how Sweden and the EU have increased humanitarian aid. He concludes by stating that Russia's invasion threatens global security, as Ukraine fights not only for its survival but for the integrity of European borders and international law.

05:02

🌱 Sweden’s Commitment to Development and Sustainable Growth

The minister underscores Sweden’s dedication to sustainable development and humanitarian assistance. He discusses Sweden's significant contributions, emphasizing the nation's generosity in meeting the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income for development aid. He highlights Sweden’s efforts in strengthening multilateral institutions and financing models, which are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The minister also notes the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to address challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality, stressing the role of Swedish innovation in these efforts.

10:02

💻 Human Rights, Emerging Technologies, and Global Security

The Swedish minister reflects on the importance of human rights, democracy, and international security in the digital age. He points to the significant progress of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in advancing climate change mitigation and the Sustainable Development Goals. However, he also warns of the security risks posed by these technologies. Sweden is working with Rwanda to develop a global digital compact for secure and open digital infrastructure. The minister emphasizes that human rights are universal and criticizes recent Quran burnings in Sweden, affirming the country’s rejection of intolerance while upholding constitutional freedoms.

Keywords

💡Aggression

Aggression refers to the use of force or the act of initiating unwarranted military action against another state. In the context of the video, the speaker refers to Russia's aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and Syria since 2015, highlighting Russia's disregard for international law and its attempts to achieve political ambitions through military force.

💡European security order

The European security order encompasses the collective efforts and agreements among European countries to maintain peace and stability in the region. The video discusses how Russia's actions undermine this order, indicating a threat to the established norms and institutions that have kept peace in Europe.

💡Weaponizing food

To weaponize food is to use it as a tool of war or political pressure. The speaker accuses Russia of weaponizing food by blocking grain deliveries from Ukraine, which exacerbates the global food crisis and limits food supply to vulnerable populations. This action is seen as a strategic move to exert control and influence.

💡Solidarity Lanes

Solidarity Lanes are alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain, established in response to Russia's blockade. The video mentions that these lanes have become a lifeline, allowing Ukraine to export over 3 million tons of grain per month, thus maintaining a crucial supply of food to the world despite the conflict.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources. The speaker emphasizes that Russia is attempting to deny Ukraine its sovereignty, which is a fundamental violation of international law and the principles of self-determination.

💡NATO membership

NATO membership refers to the status of a country being a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance aimed at collective defense. The video discusses Sweden's historic decision to apply for NATO membership, ending its long-standing policy of military non-alignment, as a response to security threats and a move to enhance stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.

💡International law

International law is a set of rules, norms, and standards recognized by the international community to govern relations between states and international organizations. The video repeatedly mentions Russia's violations of international law, including the U.N. Charter, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to these laws to maintain global order.

💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. The video discusses the challenges in achieving these goals, such as slowed poverty reduction and the impact of climate change, and the importance of regaining momentum towards their realization.

💡Climate change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities. The video highlights the exacerbating effects of climate change on extreme weather events and the importance of higher ambitions in climate action, especially in the lead-up to COP 28.

💡Human rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The video underscores the importance of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law for development, and the need to uphold these values, especially for marginalized groups like women and girls, to achieve a just and prosperous society.

Highlights

Russia has been using military force to achieve political ambitions and undermine European security order.

Russia is accused of weaponizing food and exacerbating the global food crisis.

Ukraine is exporting over 3 million tons of grain per month through 'Solidarity Lanes'.

Sweden and the EU have increased humanitarian food aid and support for local food production.

Russia is attempting to deny Ukraine's right to exist as a sovereign nation.

Sweden has applied for NATO membership, ending its long-standing military non-alignment.

The UN General Assembly has repeatedly condemned Russia's violations of international law.

Sweden supports the establishment of a Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The 2030 Agenda's progress has been hindered by various global challenges.

Sweden is one of few countries reaching the UN target for official development assistance.

Climate change is exacerbating challenges, and Sweden calls for higher ambitions at COP 28.

Sweden welcomes the Secretary-General's commitment to the global climate agenda.

Sweden's development assistance is focused on poverty alleviation, health, and human rights.

Sweden is co-facilitating the development of a global digital compact for an open, free, and secure digital future.

Human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are essential for development and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Sweden is committed to combating intolerance and hatred, and upholding freedom of expression and religion.

Russia's actions jeopardize nuclear safety and security, and Sweden calls for adherence to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

The world faces numerous challenges that require extensive collaboration and a shared determination to overcome.

Transcripts

I now give the floor to his Excellency

Tobias

bielstrom Minister for foreign affairs

of Sweden

[Music]

[Music]

Mr President excellencies

looking back we the International

Community did not acknowledge the

science for what they were

the war in Georgia in 2008 and the

aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and in

Syria since 2015 clearly shows but

Russia has no Scruples about using

military force to reach its political

Ambitions recreate its former Colonial

Empire and undermine the European

security order as well as the U.N

Charter

Mr President we open this year's general

assembly at the time when a permanent

member of a security Council a body

tasked with the maintenance of

International Peace and security has

proven its complete disregard for human

life in Ukraine and globally

Russia is weaponizing food and

aggravating the global food crisis most

recently by reimposing its blockade

against grain deliveries across the

Black Sea deliberately destroying

Ukrainian grain and Port infrastructure

in doing so Russia is limiting the

supply of food to many including the

world's most vulnerable

meanwhile we use solidarity Lanes the

efforts to build alternative export

routes for food from Ukraine have become

a Lifeline Ukraine exports more than 3

million tons of grain every month

through the solidarity Lanes Sweden and

the EU have also increased our

humanitarian food Aid globally and boost

its support for local food production

in blatant violation of international

law Russia is attempting to deny Ukraine

its right to exist as a Sovereign Nation

if we allow this to happen Russia will

only continue its Imperial Ambitions

this will not stop with Ukraine Ukraine

soldiers are fighting not only for

Ukraine's survival but those of our

security and for the respect of

territorial integrity

it is The Sovereign right of every state

to make its own security policy choices

exercising this right Sweden has applied

for NATO membership a historic decision

but ends Sweden's military non-alignment

which dates back to 1812.

our native membership will increase the

security of our country and together

with finland's membership improve

stability in the entire euro-atlantic

area

Sweden will fulfill its commitments

under the North Atlantic Treaty and to

all other allies

Mr President

this assembly has repeatedly condemned

Russia's blatant violations of

international law including the U.N

Charter

Ukrainian people have suffered from

attacks against schools hospitals and

civilian infrastructure

Russia has abducted thousands of

Ukrainian children the list of Russia's

crimes against international law in

Ukraine is long

Russia must and will be held to account

accountability including for the crime

of aggression is a condition for justice

to the victims and a deterrent against

future violations

Sweden supports the establishment of a

Tribunal for the crime of aggression

committed against Ukraine

the U.N Charter also forms the basis of

Ukraine's Ukraine's peace formula which

is receiving support from a growing

group of countries in all regions and we

welcome initiatives that will contribute

to just and Lasting peace based on

international law this is in the

interest of all of us

Mr President the world is indeed in a

very different place compared to when

the 2030 agenda was adopted eight years

ago pace of poverty reduction has slowed

down humanitarian needs are rising and

climate change is exaggerating the sdg

summit earlier this week was a much

needed opportunity to regain momentum

towards achieving the 2030 agenda and

the sustainable development goals

Sweden is a committed partner of and

contributed to the U.N development

system and a substantial donor of

humanitarian assistance it is imperative

that the human development system

continued to strive for increased

Effectiveness and efficiency especially

at Country level

Swedish official development assistance

is generous we are one of only a handful

of countries in the world that reach the

UN Target of 0.7 percent of gross

national income in development

assistance

development assistance must work

catalytically alongside trade private

investment improved access to Capital

and domestic resource mobilization

strong natural institutions remain a

precondition for development

multilateral development Banks play a

critical role in achieving the sdgs

working with Innovative financing and

mobilizing financing at scale both

private capital and domestic resources

we support the adaptation of our

business model to better address Global

challenges while keeping poverty

reduction and climate change at the core

of their mandate

Sweden's International Development

assistance responds to the multiple

challenges the world is confronting

today and contributes to positive

developments Sweden's development

assistance is relevant long-term

efficient and transparent

the Swedish government focus on poverty

elevation and health interventions for

the most vulnerable providing democracy

assistance to Defenders of Human Rights

and democracy on all continents we

invest in women's and girls rights and

opportunities across the globe

Mr President climate change is

exhilarating this July was the hottest

month on record with the extreme weather

causing widespread damage

when the world meets for cop 28 in Dubai

in November this year we must unite

around higher Ambitions Sweden welcomes

the secretary General's strong personal

commitment to push the global global

climate agenda forward

we are pleased that the incoming United

Arab Emirates presidencies framing

climate action as a driver for

prosperity and growth we must mobilize

more climate Finance both public and

private and enhanced support to local

resilience and climate adaptation

Sweden will continue to do its part and

we call on all other countries to

increase their contributions

climate Finance is a key element of

Swedish development assistance the

groundbreaking Solutions provided by

Swedish businesses in areas such as

battery production and fossil free steel

are driving climate action in Sweden and

supporting the climate transition

globally

the synergies between Innovation trade

and the private sector are fundamental

to achieving the green transition and

reaching the sustainable development

goals

Mr President emerging Technologies

including artificial intelligence are

Transforming Our World they offer

unprecedented possibilities including to

accelerate our efforts on climate change

Global health and the sustainable

development goals

this fast-moving development also

entails challenges for International

Security and human rights shaping a

shared vision of new technologies based

on the values of the U.N shorter will be

key to harness their potential and

mitigate the risks together with Rwanda

Sweden is co-facilitating the process in

the general assembly of developing a

global digital compact that will outline

shared principles for an open free and

secure digital future for all

incident

75 years ago the universal Declaration

of Human Rights was adopted we know for

a fact that human rights democracy and

the rule of law are determinants of

development countries with high levels

of democracy have 94 percent lower

infant mortality and provide 40 percent

more electricity and have 23 percent

more access to Safe Water than

autocracies building societies that are

democratic respect human rights and

uphold the rule of law will be crucial

for half past we achieve the 2030 agenda

and let me particularly underline with

women's and girls enjoyment of Human

Rights including sexual and Reproductive

Rights is a key condition for

development and a prerequisite for

democracy human rights are and must be

Universal they are not a privilege for a

few they belong to everyone everywhere

president in recent months Sweden has

witnessed disrespectful burnings of the

Quran

these desecrations are being carried out

by extremists and provocators but seek

to sow division between Muslims and

non-muslims we must not let these

provocators succeed

the Swedish government is firm in

strongly rejecting any Act of

intolerance

these offensive acts committed by

individuals at demonstrations in Sweden

do not reflect the opinion of a Swedish

government nor that of a majority of the

Swedish people

over the years Sweden has received a

great number of Muslims and has strived

to integrate the newcomers and their

children into our society Sweden remains

in close dialogue with the Muslim world

and has invited the Secretary General of

the OIC to visit Sweden the rights to

freedom of religion freedom of assembly

freedom of expression and freedom to

demonstrate our constitutional rights in

Sweden these freedoms have served our

society and our social cohesion well and

made us an open and free Society

the Swedish government has decided to

carry out an inquiry

to review the public order act which

governs the Swedish police Authority's

scope to deny a permit application to

hold a public gathering

we must stand together to combat all

forms of races intolerance and hatred

Mr President Russia's illegal war of

aggression against Ukraine jeopardizes

nuclear Safety and Security in Ukraine

and Beyond

Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons

it's declared Readiness to conduct a

nuclear test and its announcements about

deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus are

all deeply irresponsible

the expansion of nuclear arsenals

without transparency the abandonment of

Arms Control agreements and Regional

proliferation threats give course for

serious concerns

multilateralism is our best chance to

address these challenges and realize the

objectives enshrined in the nuclear

non-proliferation treaty all states must

help Drive progress

Mr President our geographies are linked

our challenges are shared and as much as

our challenges are shared so are also

our opportunities and we must strive to

fulfill them together

this is not the first time the world is

faced with numerous and difficult

challenges they will demand a lot from

us extensive collaboration pragmatism

and hard work

compromises and a shared determination

history shows us that dark times can be

overcome

next year's Summit for the future

provides us with an opportunity

to confirm our commitment to the U.N

Charter and a rules-based international

order as we tackle the challenges ahead

future Generations should

to a greater extent be able to live in

security enjoy human rights and live in

prosperous societies it is our job and

our responsibility to make it happen

thank you very much

[Applause]

I thank the minister for foreign affairs

of Sweden

[Applause]