“We are in a pivotal time, where development cooperation and development cooperation policy have never been more important due to the global challenges we now have. I know Per Olsson Fridh as a judicious dialogue partner, and in him Sweden gains a Minister for International Development Cooperation who will continue to pursue global issues with commitment and strategically,” says Erik Lysén, Head of Act Church of Sweden.

“It is especially an advantage to have a Minister for International Development Cooperation who is well respected across party and block boundaries, and who sees the importance of a strong civil society, and not least the role of religious actors in development issues.”

Fridh begins his ministerial position in a situation in which global challenges are larger than they have been for a very long time. The pandemic has thrown the world back into a situation in which both famine and poverty are rising rapidly and humanitarian needs have grown dramatically in just one year. The global crisis has also led to greater inequality worldwide, with wider chasms between rich and poor. The crisis has had a particularly severe impact on women, who are over-represented in the informal sector that is suffering a major economic downturn, and who have also been exposed to increasing levels of violence.

“In light of this it is positive that Sweden is now gaining a Minister for International Development Cooperation with sound knowledge and attested immense commitment to global issues, and who will therefore continue to pursue a strong, feminist Swedish development cooperation policy in international arenas,” says Erik Lysén.

“In his role as State Secretary for the previous Minister for International Development Cooperation, Per Olsson Fridh has also safeguarded genuine dialogue with both the Swedish and global civil society.”