A/HRC/41/44/Add.1 the resurgence of humanitarian crises; and (e) to find new and innovative financing solutions.39 41. In January 2017, the Government adopted a new strategy for humanitarian aid through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency for the period 2017– 2020. The Independent Expert notes with appreciation that gender equality, conflict sensitivity and resilience, combined with a human rights-based approach, are some of the key principles mainstreamed throughout Swedish humanitarian aid.40 B. Policy for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance Human rights-based approach to international solidarity 42. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is the main governmental agency in charge of implementing State policies and strategies relating to international aid, including development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Acting within the policy framework for Swedish development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, the Agency’s main objective is to contribute to the reduction of poverty worldwide using a human rights-based approach and incorporating the perspectives of poor people on development, which has been central to all its initiatives and projects. The Agency operates within the following thematic areas: democracy, human rights and freedom of expression; gender equality; environment and climate; health; market development; agriculture and food security; education; sustainable societal development; conflict, peace and security; and humanitarian aid.41 Representatives of the Agency informed the Independent Expert that it was strongly committed to mainstreaming and implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals throughout all of those priority areas. 43. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency uses a human rightsbased approach in all of its initiatives to achieve sustainable results. The implementation of that approach is based on identifying the human rights to be realized through a project and how to do so in a way that guarantees non-discrimination, participation, transparency and accountability as key human rights principles. Through this human rights-based approach, the Agency aims to empower boys, girls, men and women to claim their human rights (as rights holders) and to increase the capacity of those who are obliged to respect, promote, protect and fulfil those rights (as duty bearers). 42 Human rights-based international solidarity is a priority for the Agency and, more globally, for the Government, as the funding and support for human rights demonstrates. Indeed, the Agency allocated 5.6 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $612 million) to democracy and human rights in 2016, making it the Agency’s most important and largest thematic area (equivalent to approximately 30 per cent of its total disbursement in 2016). 43 In that connection, the core support given by Sweden through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is to be commended. 44. With regard to gender equality, the Agency has long been committed to advancing women’s and girls’ rights through its development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals, this area has become a key priority for the Agency. In 2015, it presented a three-year plan along with 59 other Swedish agencies to 39 40 41 42 43 Government Communication 2016/17:60, p. 42. “Strategy for Sweden’s humanitarian aid provided through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) 2017–2020”, 16 March 2017. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, “Our fields of work”, 7 April 2015. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Human Rights Based Approach at Sida: Compilation of Thematic Area Briefs (30 October 2015); see also “Human rights based approach at Sida”, 29 September 2015. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, “Democracy and Human Rights”, Portfolio Overview 2016. 11