Mission and objectives

The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), established in 1938, is an independent institute and a platform for research and information on foreign affairs and international relations.

The institute’s mission is to inform and enrich the public debate by promoting interest in and knowledge of foreign affairs and international relations. This mission is pursued through research, events and by presence in the media. Researchers and experts regularly publish their research in award winning research papers, books and international journals. Publications of the institute include UI Briefs and UI Papers. 

The institute’s experts include both researchers and analysts specialized in the field of international affairs. While maintaining a broad perspective, UI focuses on foreign and security policy issues of special relevance to Sweden. The MENA programme has two focus areas. They focus on the development in Syria and other Middle Eastern conflicts, plus the social transformation in the MENA region as well as the integration between Europe and the Mediterranean region.