🇸🇪 Sweden - Foreign Minister Addresses United Nations General Debate, 78th Session | #UNGA
Summary
TLDRSwedish 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
🌍 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.
🌱 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.
💻 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Aggression
💡European security order
💡Weaponizing food
💡Solidarity Lanes
💡Sovereignty
💡NATO membership
💡International law
💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
💡Climate change
💡Human rights
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]
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