A/HRC/41/44/Add.1 increase gender mainstreaming in their actions and projects. 44 Authorities also informed the Independent Expert that the Agency had concluded several cooperation agreements with ILO, in particular in the areas of gender equality at work 45 and youth employment.46 Partnerships to advance international cooperation 45. To carry out its mandate and responsibilities, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency cooperates with government agencies, civil society organizations and international and regional bodies like the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank. Through these partnerships and regional agreements, the Agency coordinates development and cooperation projects in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. 47 46. During his visit, the Independent Expert had the opportunity to talk with Agency officers and to hear from several Swedish-based civil society organizations working in close partnership with the Agency, like Individuell Människohjälp (Swedish Development Partner) and Barnfonden, about their innovative and efficient work to advance international solidarity through bilateral projects in other countries. The role of civil society organizations and their cooperation with the authorities and other stakeholders is fundamental to the advancement of human rights-based international solidarity in several thematic areas, such as migration, refugees and climate change. This form of cooperation effectively contributes to the empowerment of many groups within the global population, through the establishment of development cooperation projects and programmes in which human rights principles and gender equality have pride of place. Humanitarian assistance 47. Sweden has been a long-time key actor in humanitarian assistance; for example, in 2016, it was the seventh largest donor in the world, providing close to 2.7 per cent of global humanitarian support. In 2016, humanitarian aid amounted to 6.5 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $714 million), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency received 3.6 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $396 million) to operate its humanitarian projects and initiatives. In the event of crisis situations or unexpected events, the Agency may release its reserve funds of 1 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $110 million).48 48. The Government informed the Independent Expert that Sweden was one of the largest donors of un-earmarked core support to United Nations humanitarian entities. The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs allocated over 2.6 billion Swedish kronor (approximately $298 million) at the beginning of 2017 to several United Nations agencies providing humanitarian aid, especially UNHCR, in solidarity and response to the migration and refugees flows in Europe.49 For example, in 2016, the humanitarian budget channelled through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency contributed to needs in the Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen, Iraq, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan.50 In 2017, the Agency continued to allocate the largest levels of humanitarian aid to help alleviate crises, mainly in countries in Africa and in the Middle East.51 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 12 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, “How Sida Works with Gender Equality”, May 2017. Information shared by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs on Monday 23 April 2018. See www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/documents/article/wcms_230976.pdf. A list of countries cooperating with Sida is available from www.sida.se/English/where-we-work/. See www.government.se/articles/2017/02/new-strategy-for-humanitarian-aid/ and www.sida.se/English/how-we-work/our-fields-of-work/humanitarian-aid1/sidas-humanitarian-aid/. Information shared by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Monday 23 April 2018. Countries are listed in descending order in accordance with the size of the donation. See www.government.se/articles/2017/02/new-strategy-for-humanitarian-aid/.