A/HRC/41/44/Add.1 9. During his visit, the Independent Expert was told that Sweden saw the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a floor, not a ceiling. Sweden intends to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals through decisions and measures in daily operations and actions and existing governance processes, as well as through the involvement of everyone in Sweden. 3 The Government also views solidarity as the foundation of the work to implement the 2030 Agenda, strengthened and driven by a human rights approach and a central focus on people living in poverty. 4 As a result, the 2030 Agenda and its Goals are mainstreamed and implemented in all government decisions and policies in all relevant sectors. Throughout his visit, the Independent Expert found significant evidence of the work of the cities of Stockholm and Malmö and the regions to promote and protect human rights, mainstream gender equality, implement environmentally friendly solutions and create plans for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Those efforts contribute immensely to a form of human rights-based international solidarity. 10. At the global level, the Government of Sweden has exhibited a strong belief in multilateral cooperation and therefore works extensively to strengthen international cooperation and new partnerships between countries, as well as with companies, social partners, civil society and knowledge-based society worldwide, to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda and to advance human rights-based international solidarity. 5 This is especially reflected in its international cooperation and development policy (see paras. 33– 50 below). Strengthening in-depth cooperation between all stakeholders will contribute to sustainable development and reinforce international solidarity among States and other actors. 11. During his visit, the Independent Expert noted with appreciation that, among all government interlocutors he met with, as well as different political party members, there was a strong consensus regarding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Independent Expert also witnessed a willingness among these actors to act in solidarity with those facing inequality, poverty and oppression, whether inside or outside the country. He welcomes the adoption after his visit of an action plan for the 2030 Agenda, defining the key political measures to be implemented in this respect during the period 2018–2020.6 12. The Independent Expert was informed of the challenges that Sweden faced, despite its leading position and influential voice in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially with regard to achieving sustainable consumption and production in Sweden and beyond. Inequality and discrimination among Swedes, whether based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, immigration status or economic status, are still very visible in many areas of society. Although Sweden is a role model for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide, in the country itself gender equality has not yet been fully achieved. 13. In addition to the 2030 Agenda, the Government has pledged to actively contribute to support and promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.7 Sweden sees these global agreements and their principles as inherent elements of sustainable development and as important contributors to the effort to achieve much greater international solidarity. The commitment of the Government to embrace and implement these core documents aimed at the improvement of global living conditions demonstrates its determination to advance human rights-based international solidarity. 3 4 5 6 7 4 Ibid., pp. 4 and 9. Ibid. Ibid., p. 8. See www.government.se/press-releases/2018/06/the-government-adopts-swedens-action-plan-for-the2030-agenda/. Sweden and the 2030 Agenda, p. 7.

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