Development Cooperation in Asia-Pacific

Regional Development Cooperation:

The regional programme is guided by the “Strategy for Sweden's Regional Development Cooperation with Asia and the Pacific Region 2022-2026”. The thematic areas for the regional strategy are human rights, democracy, the rule of law, gender equality, migration, environment, climate, biodiversity and natural resources.

The goal of the Swedish Regional Development Cooperation is sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific through mutual interactions between the thematic areas. Implementation of the strategy entails collaboration with around 40 regional, international and multilateral organisations. The collaboration partners are international and regional non-governmental organisations and networks, intergovernmental organisations, universities (research), different UN-organisations, Asian Development Bank, and Swedish governmental authorities. Private sector partners participate in some of the projects and some of the programmes involve cooperation with ASEAN. The Embassy also provides support for regional research collaboration.

The programs that our partners implement cover different geographical areas. The geographical focus for the strategy is South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Region. In 2024 the bilateral window for Cambodia was closed.  
Strategy for Sweden's regional development cooperation with Asia and the Pacific Region in 2022-2026

The strategy for Sweden’s regional development cooperation with Asia and the Pacific Region in 2022–2026 constitutes the cornerstone of Sweden’s work in Asia and the Pacific. The regional strategy has six objectives, within two thematic areas:

Human rights, democracy, the rule of law and gender equality 

• Improved conditions for democracy and increased respect for human rights and the rule of law
• Greater gender equality, including reduced gender-based violence and greater economic empowerment for women
• Enhanced capacity to manage migration, with a focus on countering irregular migration, strengthening asylum procedures, and combating migrant smuggling, as well as promoting conditions for increased return, voluntary repatriation, and sustainable reintegration.

Environmentally and climate-resilient sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources. 

• Improved conditions for sustainable management and sustainable use of natural resources, with a focus on increased protection, conservation and restoration of biodiversity and its ecosystem services
• Improved adaptability and strengthened resilience to climate change and environmental and natural disasters
• Reduced climate impact, with a focus on increased access to renewable energy and higher energy efficiency.