Anniversary of earthquake disaster in Haiti
Today marks one year since a major earthquake hit Haiti. The earthquake caused extensive devastation. An estimated 250 000 people died and 1.5 million were made homeless. The international community was relatively quickly able provide emergency measures for survival and essential medical care. Sweden provides humanitarian support to the country through a number of different initiatives.
National action plan for a toxin-free everyday environment
A national action plan is to reduce the presence of toxins in the everyday environment. The Government today instructed the Swedish Chemicals Agency to produce and implement a national action plan for a toxin-free everyday environment. Hazardous toxins and chemicals are to be identified, restricted and phased out. An extra SEK 100 million is to be allocated to work on the action plan.
Sweden to close five Embassies
The Government has today decided to close Sweden's Embassies in Buenos Aires, Brussels, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Luanda. The five embassies will be closed during 2011.
"This painful decision is a consequence of the recent decision of the Riksdag to cut funding to the Government Offices by SEK 300 million," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
New Head of EU Permanent Representation and new Director-General for Administrative Affairs at Ministry for Foreign Affairs
At the government meeting today, the Government appointed Dag Hartelius as Head of the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU, and Fredrik Jörgensen as the new Director-General for Administrative Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Record reduction in Swedish emissions
Swedish greenhouse gas emissions are declining substantially. In 2009, emissions fell by over 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. This means that Sweden's total emissions have now dropped by a total of around 17 per cent since 1990, and levels have never been lower.
"Across the country, major initiatives are under way to develop renewable energy and reduce emissions in municipalities and produced by individuals. This is important. The world needs role models and pioneers for reduced emissions. Sweden can take on that role," comments Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.
Report on violent Islamist extremism
In February this year, the Swedish Security Service was tasked by the Government to present a report on Islamist extremism in Sweden, how people are radicalised and what can be done to prevent this from happening. On Wednesday 15 December, Director-General of the Swedish Security Service Anders Danielsson presented a report entitled "Violent Islamist Extremism in Sweden" to the minister responsible for democracy issues, Birgitta Ohlsson.
"We must take terrorism extremely seriously without, however, interfering with democracy and the principles of open society," says Ms Ohlsson.
Climate negotiations back on even keel
The negotiations have now concluded at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancún. Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren comments on the results:
"The UN ship that began to list so precariously in Copenhagen has got back on an even keel in Cancún. The measures to save the Earth's climate are still insufficient, but the UN has taken a step towards rebuilding confidence. We managed to prevent multilateral climate cooperation from capsizing."
New policy for the introduction of newly arrived immigrants in Sweden
On 1 December a new reform to speed up the introduction of newly arrived immigrants into working and social life entered into force. A quicker introduction will be made possible by strengthening the personal incentives to both take up work and take an active part in employment preparatory activities for becoming jobready. Individual introduction plans will make better use of the skills of newly arrived immigrants, and a clearer and more distinct division of responsibilities between different stakeholders will create an effective introduction chain.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's comments on Saturday's events
"Saturday's events in central Stockholm lead many people to ask whether Sweden has become less safe. What occurred is unwanted and unacceptable. We must safeguard the open society where people can live together side by side."
Government to raise contribution to low-income countries in Africa
The Government has decided to contribute over SEK 2 billion to the African Development Fund (ADF).
"The need for basic infrastructure, above all, but also better conditions for the private sector, is substantial in most African countries. Sweden's contribution will strengthen the ADF, ensuring that measures are more effective and can strategically meet the needs of recipient countries in these areas," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
