Ann Linde

Photo: Kristian Pohl/Regeringskansliet.

Ms. Ann Linde was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in September 2019. Prior to that Ms. Linde served as Minister for European Union Affairs and Trade. During 2014-2016 she was appointed State Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs. Ms. Linde has earlier held the position as Head of the International Unit, Party of European Socialists (PES) based in Brussels. During 2000–2013 she was International Secretary of the Swedish Social Democratic Party. During the eighties she worked in Non-Governmental Organisations, and in the nineties in the Swedish Government Offices, in both political and non-political positions.
Among numerous assignments she has served as Board member in Olof Palme International Centre and Anna Lindh memorial foundation. Ms Linde has a Bachelor degree in political science, sociology and economics, Stockholm University. Ms Linde was born in 1961. She is married, has two children and lives in Stockholm.

Össur Skarphéðinsson

Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson is an Icelandic politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from February 2009 to May 2013. He was appointed Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism for the Social Democratic Alliance in May 2007. He was also Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 24 May 2007 to 10 June 2008. He was a member of the parliament (Althing) for the Reykjavík Constituency from 1991 to 2003, and for Reykjavík North Constituency from 2003 to 2016. Mr. Skarphéðinsson was Chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group from 1991 to 1993, Minister for the Environment from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance from 2000 to 2005.

Q&A

All questions directed to H.E. Anne Linde were posted by participants, either before or during the event.

Sweden's Arctic Policy

Sweden's Arctic Policy was announced on September 29th. It outlines six priority areas for Sweden in the Arctic.

Reading Material

Sweden's Arctic Strategy

High North News: Sweden Launches New Arctic Strategy

Arctic Council: Sweden Quick Facts

The Arctic Insitute: Sweden Facts and Figures

Videos

HRH Victoria Crown Princess of Sweden at the 2019 Arctic Circle Assembly

Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden, at the 2019 Arctic Circle China Forum:

Björn Dahlback, Director General, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat at the 2017 Arctic Circle Assembly: