The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) oversees Sweden’s development cooperation policy and budget. Within the MFA, the Department for International Development and Foreign Trade coordinates these efforts, with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency being the largest implementing agency.

In December 2023, Sweden adopted a reform agenda titled “Development Assistance for a New Era – Freedom, Empowerment, and Sustainable Growth.” This agenda outlines Sweden’s strategic approach to international development assistance, aiming to improve living conditions for people living in poverty and under oppression. The reform agenda emphasizes a long-term perspective, transparency, and effectiveness, and stresses the importance of coherent policies across various areas such as development, foreign affairs, security, trade, climate, and migration. Sweden’s thematic priorities include combating poverty, improving health, promoting freedom and fighting oppression, climate aid, women’s and girls’ empowerment, synergies between development assistance and migration policy, and humanitarian assistance.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s engagement in the region is guided by the “Strategy for Sweden’s Regional Development Cooperation with Asia and the Pacific Region in 2022–2026.” This strategy aims to address key challenges and promote sustainable development through targeted initiatives and partnerships. It underscores the importance of human rights, democracy, gender equality, and environmental sustainability in achieving long-term development goals.

In addition, the Swedish Energy Agency collaborates with ADB through cofinancing. It is Sweden’s largest public funder and facilitator of Swedish “sustaintech” companies and is responsible for the country’s program for international climate initiatives, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally through international cooperation.

Sweden is a founding member of ADB and has, since 1966, committed $535.7 million to ADB special funds. Of this commitment, $507.5 million is for the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADF provides grants to ADB’s low-income, developing member countries to help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life.