Sweden has formalized a new development cooperation strategy with Colombia covering 2026 through 2031 and maintains the Andean nation among its priority international partners as Stockholm reduces the number of countries receiving dedicated Swedish aid strategies. This comes after the Colombian government agreed to purchase a fleet of Saab Gripen fighter jets.

The strategy, which enters into force on July 1, 2026, and runs until the end of 2031, is expected to mobilize approximately SEK 150 million ($16 million) annually for initiatives focused on employment, democratic strengthening, human rights, and peacebuilding. The final allocation will be determined through Sweden’s annual budget process.

The decision comes as Sweden has narrowed its international cooperation framework, reducing the number of dedicated aid strategies from nearly 70 to 32 countries. A significant portion of Sweden’s aid resources has been redirected toward Ukraine, while several previous partner countries have lost dedicated support.

Colombia’s continued inclusion reflects the importance Stockholm places on the bilateral relationship, particularly around peacebuilding, sustainable development, trade, and democratic institutions.

“Aid will now be based on what we know works.” – Benjamin Dousa, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade

The new Colombian strategy is built around three main priorities: expanding livelihood opportunities through inclusive institutions, employment, trade, and digitalization; strengthening democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and supporting the consolidation of negotiated peace through stronger institutions for peace and security.

Additional areas of cooperation include fossil-free energy, biogas and biomass, mining, agroindustry, climate-smart technologies, and waste management.

The announcement followed Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio’s visit to Stockholm on February 9 for the Second High-Level Dialogue between Colombia and Sweden. During the visit, Villavicencio held a bilateral meeting with Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, with discussions focused on peace, security, sustainability, energy transition, trade, education, and economic development.

The Colombian Embassy in Sweden and Iceland stated that the dialogue contributed to maintaining and expanding Sweden’s cooperation strategy with Colombia.

Beyond the bilateral strategy, Colombia will also benefit from Sweden’s new Regional Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, which will provide an additional SEK 75 million ($8 million) annually to support trade, democratic development, and the green transition across the region.

The strategy will be implemented through Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sweden’s development cooperation agency, with the full cooperation framework published by the Swedish government.

Colombia is among a limited group of countries, including Guatemala, Cuba, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and Sudan — receiving dedicated Swedish cooperation strategies through 2031.

The renewed framework builds on a broader strengthening of bilateral ties. In 2024, Sweden and Colombia signed a partnership agreement elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership, alongside memorandums of understanding covering sustainability, energy transition, innovation and technology, education, transport, and space cooperation.

Headline photo: A Saab Gripen E at Colombia’s 2023 F-AIR airshow (photo © Loren Moss)