The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
On July 21, 2021, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power met virtually with Per Olsson Fridh, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden. They discussed opportunities to work together to promote democracy, human rights, and independent media, especially in Eastern Europe, and expressed shared support for the Belarusian people who are standing up for democratic values and human rights. They further agreed on the importance of development and humanitarian assistance to support Sudan’s transitional democracy. They noted the recent protests in Cuba due to continued human rights violations and discussed support for independent media, activists, and opposition leaders.
Administrator Power and Minister Olsson Fridh agreed to continue to work closely together, and with other donor partners, on COVID-19, climate change and resilience, and noted their concern for environmental defenders, especially local indigenous leaders, who are increasingly under threat and attack. They agreed to continue to press for humanitarian access to address widespread famine, as well as the cessation of hostilities and accountability for human rights violations and abuses in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. They also discussed humanitarian and development assistance priorities in Central America and Afghanistan.