Sweden

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has not yet joined the TPNW

SIGNED

RATIFIED

IN FORCE

Status

Sweden has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

National position

Since 2022, Sweden has voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”. From 2018 to 2021, it abstained from voting on the resolution.

In 2022, Sweden applied to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which defines itself as a “nuclear alliance”. The then-minister of foreign affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, wrote in a letter to NATO: “Sweden accepts NATO’s approach to security and defense, including the essential role of nuclear weapons.” Sweden acceded to the alliance in 2024.

In 2023, Linde’s successor, Tobias Billström, wrote in a letter to ICAN that his country would maintain its “established policy of not signing the TPNW, as the treaty, in our view, suffers from several key shortcomings and does not provide for a credible or effective path towards nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation or the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology”.

Meetings of states parties

Sweden observed the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW in 2022. “Sweden participates in this meeting as an observer and is appreciative to be able to join you here in Vienna,” it said, while reiterating that “the Swedish government’s decision of 2019 to not sign nor ratify the TPNW stands”.

It has not observed subsequent meetings of states parties.

Political developments

In 2017, following Sweden’s vote at the United Nations in support of the adoption of the TPNW, the then-secretary of defence of the United States, James Mattis, wrote to his Swedish counterpart, Peter Hultqvist, warning that Sweden’s accession to the treaty would “adversely affect defence cooperation” between the two countries.

The Swedish government released a report in 2019 recommending against Sweden’s accession to the TPNW. The report was widely criticised by civil society groups and scholars from various academic fields.

Following the release of the report, the then-minister of foreign affairs, Margot Wallström, announced that Sweden would “refrain from signing or pursuing ratification of the [TPNW] at the present time”, but indicated that it might reassess its position.

After resigning as foreign minister, Wallström expressed regret at having failed to convince the Swedish parliament to agree to join the TPNW.

The Swedish Social Democratic Party, in its platform adopted in 2021, pledged to contribute to the “development and clarification” of the TPNW and, for the first time, stated unequivocally that “the goal is that Sweden will join” the treaty. This followed the tabling of 48 motions in favour of the treaty and a public appeal by one hundred prominent members of the party.

Public opinion

A public opinion poll conducted by Sifo in 2019 found that 78 per cent of Swedes believe that their government should sign the TPNW, with 9 per cent opposed to signing and 12 per cent unsure.

In 2021, the Olof Palme International Center published a poll showing that 88 per cent Social Democratic Party voters in Sweden support joining the TPNW, and an overwhelming majority of other voters also support joining.

Campaigners celebrate the entry into force of the TPNW on 22 January 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo: Sri Nimpuno

TPNW negotiations

Sweden participated in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and voted in favour of its adoption.

In explaining its vote, it said: “We warmly welcome the fact that at last we have a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, the only weapon of mass destruction not prohibited until now. Though nuclear weapons are not likely to disappear soon, we are convinced that the norm against the use and possession of nuclear weapons will be strengthened by this treaty.”

However, it also noted that the final treaty text “does not meet all the expectations we had”.

In 2016, Sweden voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination.”

Before the negotiations

Prior to the adoption of the TPNW in 2017, nuclear weapons were the only weapons of mass destruction not subject to a comprehensive, globally applicable treaty prohibition. Sweden supported calls in the UN General Assembly fill this “legal gap”.

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Sweden

Nuclear-weapon-free state

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

National position

Meetings of states parties

Political developments

Public opinion

TPNW negotiations

Before the negotiations

Further information

Local Partner Organizations

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