USA and Sweden: Partnership based on shared commitments
“We have already had the opportunity to work together on a number of things, and that is a reflection of the fact that the United States and Sweden work together in so many different areas, whether it is climate, whether it is covid, whether it is on security issues. . “
– Secretary Antony J. Blinken, 19 May 2021
Foreign Minister Antony J. Blinken participates in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Council of Ministers in Stockholm, Sweden, 1-2 December 2021. During his visit, the Secretary will meet Swedish officials, including Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Foreign Minister Ann Linde to discuss security cooperation, the climate crisis, human rights and other global challenges.
A friendship built on a strong alliance
- The relationship between the USA and Sweden is based on a common heritage that dates back to 1638, when the first Swedish immigrants arrived on the beaches of Delaware. In 1783, Sweden was one of the first countries to recognize US independence, and since then the two countries have maintained a strong bilateral friendship, based on shared values and mutual commitments to promote global democracy, security, human rights, gender equality. and gender equality, and international development and sustainability.
- The United States and Sweden work closely together on European and other regional political and security issues, and work to promote peace and stability outside Europe’s borders. Sweden is an Enhanced Opportunities Partner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and plays an active leadership role on the international stage. Sweden is also a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and participates in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
- Sweden is a top donor of development and humanitarian aid. Sweden, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Swedish International Development Cooperation, is one of the US Agency for International Development’s most important bilateral partners, especially in terms of programs to promote innovation, democracy and governance, human rights for LGBTQI + people and through Power Africa. Together with the USA, Sweden is also a global leader when it comes to prioritizing gender equality and gender equality in its development assistance.
- The United States and Sweden share concerns about the health of our citizens and the global community as we seek solutions to reduce the spread of covid-19. During President Biden’s virtual global COVID-19 summit, Sweden pledged $ 240 million in global vaccine capital in addition to the more than $ 280 million already allocated by Sweden. The United States appreciates Sweden’s contribution to increased global preparedness to prevent, detect and respond to future outbreaks and the re-establishment of global travel, tourism and trade.
2021 Presidency of the OSCE
- The United States thanks Sweden for its committed leadership as President of the OSCE in 2021 and its focus on addressing the protracted conflicts of the OSCE region, strengthening climate security, defending human rights and democratic governance, and promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
Cooperate in the Arctic and confront the climate crisis
- The United States and Sweden work closely together in the Arctic Council, the main forum for discussing Arctic governance issues, consisting of the eight Arctic states and six permanent participants representing Arctic indigenous peoples’ organizations. The United States envisions the Arctic region as conflict-free, where nations act responsibly and where economic development and investment take place in a sustainable, transparent manner that respects the environment and interests and cultures of indigenous peoples. We share concerns about the increased Russian military presence in the Arctic and agree on the importance of protecting sensitive critical infrastructure in the region.
- When it comes to climate change, the United States and Sweden both lead by example, show a common commitment to increase ambitions under the Paris Agreement and plan how we will meet our emissions targets. Sweden joined the US / EU-led Global Methane Pledge, the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Initiative (AIM4C) and undertook to double its climate funding by 2025. To meet the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach a nationally decided contribution to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels of overall net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in addition to the goal of a net zero-emission economy by 2050.
Bands between people build new bridges
- The USA and Sweden share a strong commitment to educational, cultural and professional exchanges. In total, there are more than 2,080 exchange alumni from Sweden, and more than 770 Americans have visited Sweden for exchanges. Sweden participates in the department’s Fulbright Arctic Initiative to support international research collaboration on common challenges in the Arctic region, including through a series of three personal meetings and individual exchange opportunities. Every year, the International Visitor Leadership Program takes Swedish participants to meet their American counterparts for short-term professional exchanges on a number of issues, including sustainable tourism in the Arctic.
- Selected high school students from Sweden will join American and European peers in a virtual youth leadership program on climate change in January 2022 for a coherent review of the core concepts in COP26. Sweden also participates in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship for Youth, which focuses on the transatlantic relationship, leadership development, critical thinking, diplomacy and the media.