"It feels both proper and meaningful to award this prize to a company that has so successfully taken part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and its stigmatising effects," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
Ewa Björling presented prize for work against HIV/AIDS in Kenya
On 6 December, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling presented the SWHAP Achievement Award, which this year goes to Kenyan company Raffia Bags for its successful and sustainable workplace HIV/AIDS programme.
"Good news for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation"
Swedish Foreign Minister Bildt welcomes Indonesian endorsement of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, December 6, 2011.
"With this fine example of political leadership and international engagement by Indonesia, the CTBT moves yet one step further towards entry into force. This is indeed good news for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects as well as for regional and international security," says Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in a statement.
The EU and Turkey - steering a safer path through the storms
In an opinion piece published on Thursday that has been written together with ten other EU foreign ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt discusses Turkey and EU enlargement:
"The EU is currently focused on the turmoil in the eurozone. That poses severe risks to economic growth across our countries. But these tumultuous economic and political times should not lead to the EU turning its back on its neighbourhood."
Ewa Björling and Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd: This is how we will remove border barriers in infrastructure
On 28-29 November, Minister for Nordic Cooperation Ewa Björling and Minister for Infrastructure Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd will visit northern Sweden and Norway, as well as Oslo. Together with their Norwegian colleagues, businesses and stakeholders, they will raise issues on cooperation and growth in the High North, with a special focus on infrastructure.
"The High North is emerging as an increasingly important centre for business development. Energy recovery, transport, trade, activities related to ore and minerals, as well as forestry and fishing are just a few examples of important and expanding industries in the area. Development has been fast and the need for coordination and cooperation is increasing at the same rate," says Dr Björling.
Sweden increases its civilian aid to Afghanistan
The Government today adopted a revised and extended cooperation strategy for Swedish aid to Afghanistan. This is an important part of the gradual transition from military to increased civilian involvement. Sweden will increase its aid to northern Afghanistan, strengthen support to civil society in Afghanistan and intensify efforts to fight corruption.
Swedish aid data now internationally comparable
Sweden has become the fourth country to join the International Aid Transparency Initiative. This means that Openaid.se is now in line with the IATI standard. As a result, Swedish open aid data can be compared with that of other countries.
Ewa Björling in New York: the UN should buy more from Swedish companies
On 21-22 November, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling is visiting New York, where she will hold meetings with the UN and representatives of Swedish companies to try to increase Sweden's share in UN procurements.
"Each year the UN buys goods and services worth the equivalent of nearly SEK 100 billion. Procurement from Swedish companies currently accounts for a modest 0.13 per cent of this amount. I am certain that we can increase Sweden's share," says Dr Björling.
Ewa Björling to hold seminar on Internet freedom
On Wednesday 16 November Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will host a seminar for companies in the IT and telecoms industry to discuss how to promote Internet freedom through responsibility.
Per Anger prize to imprisoned human rights defender in Iran
Lawyer and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi from Iran has been awarded the 2011 Per Anger Prize for her efforts on behalf of human rights and especially the rights of women. Since 2004 the Living History Forum has awarded the Per Anger Prize to a person who has made great contributions to democracy and humanitarian work. The Prize Award Ceremony will take place at Kulturhuset on Monday 14 November in connection with the Human Rights Days event. The prize will be awarded by Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag.
Minister for Trade Ewa Björling together with the invited Ministers. Photo: Martina Huber
EU single market ministers meet in Stockholm
On Monday 14 November Minister for Trade Ewa Björling is holding a meeting with representatives of 15 EU Member States, including six single market ministers, on competitiveness and growth in the EU Single Market.
"Both the services sector and free trade are important issues for Sweden and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to work in concrete terms to put increased pressure on the Commission to achieve higher employment, growth and better conditions for enterprises," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
