Focus on illegal adoptions when the IPU met in Geneva

Published: Friday 24 October 2025 15.20

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and illegal international adoptions of children were very much in focus during the 151th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland on 19–23 October. Six members of the Riksdag participated.

A resolution, that is a joint statement, on illegal adoptions and measures to prevent such practice was debated in the IPU’s third committee and was subsequently adopted. Here, the Swedish members played an active role in the formulation of the resolution, in particular in that Russia’s abductions of children from Ukraine was emphasised.

Continued support to Ukraine

In her main address, the Chair of the Swedish delegation, Margareta Cederfelt (Moderate Party) highlighted Russia’s war in Ukraine and how the war affects the rest of the world.

– Supporting Ukraine is of highest priority for Sweden. Sweden’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast, she said.

Russia was urged to return the kidnapped Ukrainian children to their Ukrainian families. Ms Cederfelt underlined that Sweden, together with our European allies will continue to support Ukraine for as long as is needed.

Discussions on various topics including democracy and gender equality

The Deputy Chair of the delegation, Serkan Köse (Social Democratic Party) underlined that at a time when democracy is being challenged in several parts of the world, it is more important than ever that our elected representatives stand up for transparency, accountability and all people’s equal worth.

– During the week, I have participated in various discussions on democracy, gender equality and accountability, three issues that are closely related. A strong democracy calls for transparent institutions, equal representation and that power can always be examined. Only then can people feel that they can trust politics and believe in democracy, said Serkan Köse.

Janine Alm Ericson (Green Party) devoted considerable time to work with the resolution on illegal adoptions, but also participated in the debate on how parliaments across the world can become more gender equal. There, she especially emphasised the importance of systematic efforts to make work in parliaments a possibility for more people, particularly women.

Yasmine Erikson (Sweden Democrats) and Ann-Christine Frohm (Sweden Democrats) both followed the work in the Committee on Peace and International Security.

During the Assembly in Geneva, the ordinary IPU delegation was reinforced with Malcolm Momodou Jallow (Left Party), who is the Chair of the Riksdag Committee on Civil Affairs. He participated in his capacity as representative of the committee responsible for consideration of matters relating to adoption.

Bilateral meetings

In addition to work in the committees, the members participated in a number of bilateral meetings with, for example, parliamentarians in exile from Myanmar and with Ukraine in a Nordic-Baltic group. In addition, the delegation met representatives of the parliament of the United Arab Emirates where, in addition to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, integration of Muslims in Sweden was discussed. The members also gave an account of Sweden's current migration policy in this context.

Members

The Swedish delegation that participated in the Assembly in Geneva comprised the following members:

Ingvar Mattson, Secretary-General of the Riksdag, also participated in the Assembly and took part in a separate programme for the Secretaries-General of parliament.

Further information

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organisation of world parliaments, consists of 182 member countries and 12 regional parliamentary bodies from the whole world. The IPU holds two large meetings every year.

Contact person for the media

Björn Sondén, International Adviser, International Department of the Riksdag, telephone +46 70 361 88 02, email: bjorn.sonden@riksdagen.se