At the 2025 Transportation Forum, co-organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and Team Sweden, Swedish officials and companies showcased innovations that align with the Philippine government’s push for sustainable mobility.

Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Anna Ferry cited the Scandinavian country’s Vision Zero framework, which has halved road fatalities in Sweden since its adoption in 1997.

“All lives matter. The goal of Vision Zero is to have zero fatalities or seriously injured from road accidents. Vision Zero is not just a transport policy, it’s a shared responsibility across sectors. Road safety is embedded in health, urban development, education including behavioral change, and enforcement frameworks. That systemic approach is crucial for diminishing the staggering number of fatalities and injured,” Ambassador Ferry said.

She emphasized Sweden’s collaboration with the Philippine government through Swedfund.

Volvo Buses highlighted how bus rapid transit (BRT) systems can ease congestion while cutting accidents and emissions.

“Smart mass transportation systems are key to reducing emissions, noise, and accidents in urban areas,” said Mats Nilsson, Vice President of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific.

Engr. Chris Flores of Axis Communications demonstrated how artificial intelligence and video data can improve safety and operational efficiency in public transport systems.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) welcomed Sweden’s initiatives, which complement the Philippines’ National Transport Policy and Road Safety Action Plan.

Key projects include the EDSA BRT expansion, new rail systems such as the PNR South Long Haul and Mindanao Railway, and the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

Senator JV Ejercito, speaking at the forum’s close, called for stronger European-Philippine collaboration on public transport systems.

Sweden has been a consistent partner in the Philippines’ shift to sustainable mobility, providing grants for BRT systems in Iloilo and Metro Manila, and contributing to railway and clean energy projects. V. Uy

Sweden celebrated Swedish National Day and highlighted to deepen bilateral ties with the Philippines in key areas such as defense and security, industrial development, innovation, and healthcare.

Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg reiterated that the Philippines will remain Sweden’s strategic partner and will support the country in its goal for economic growth and quest for the rule of law amidst China’s unabated aggression.

“We support the Philippine Development Plan with the vision to improve the country’s economy and provide jobs to Filipinos,” Ambassador Thunborg said.

The lady envoy also revealed that there are around 40 Swedish companies doing business in the Philippines and she also brandished that Sweden is recognized as a global leader in innovation. Since 2016, when the Embassy reopened, Team Sweden — comprised of the Embassy of Sweden, trade and investment council Business Sweden, and Swedish private sector actors — has been actively collaborating with the Philippines in innovation and development. A few of its focus areas has been transportation, energy, retail, and circular economy with companies such as Atlas Copco, H&M, Lynk electric cars, PTC & Wallenius shipping, Volvo Buses, ABB, Nasdaq, BDO, and Transcom. This is possible through the “quadruple helix model” which involves collaboration with the Philippine Government, Swedish and Filipino private sector, international development institutions and other expert communities such as academia, as well as the inclusion of civil society. 

Team Sweden is keen to continue these collaborations, especially in security and defense, sustainable and responsible mining, and healthcare with companies such as Saab, Volvo Trucks and Construction Equipment, Sandvik, Ericsson Telecommunications, and Astra Zeneca.

“Sweden is committed to building a long-term and sustainable relationship with the Philippines. This is attested by the visits of our Minister of Trade Johan Forssell last year, the visit of State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson and leading Swedish industrialist and banker Marcus Wallenberg earlier this year, and now with the Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson,” Ambassador Thunborg added.

At the event, representatives of the Swedish government highlighted the need to address common challenges such as the climate, economic security, and geopolitical tensions. Moreover, in an increasingly polarized world, it is crucial for states to have strong ties with like-minded countries. Sweden sees the Philippines as an important partner with common interests in free trade, the international rules-based order, and the green and digital transition. 

For his part, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said, “Peace and security have indeed for a long time been a priority area in the Swedish-Philippine relations. Sweden has since many years actively supported the Bangsamoro Peace Process, and our two countries also cooperate extensively on matters such as promoting and defending the UN Charter, the rules-based international order and respect for international law, including UNCLOS.”

Meanwhile, Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. gave a message on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In the President’s message, it noted that “The past 77 years of our relations have been marked by friendly exchanges and fruitful cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and investments, maritime cooperation, energy, smart and green solutions, science and technology and of course, defense, your visit today, Minister Jonson is a testament to the deepening of our defense and security relations.”

Since 1983, Sweden has celebrated its National Day on the 6^th of June. This is the date on which Gustav Vasa was elected king in 1523, which laid the foundation of Sweden as a unified nation state, and on which a new, landmark constitution was adopted in 1809. 

More than the meatballs, shrimp sandwiches, cheese, Swedish sandwich cakes, and more, the celebration of Team Sweden in the Philippines, marked a significant milestone — that of its 500^th anniversary as an independent kingdom and nation.

Speaking during the celebration of Swedish National Day, Her Excellency Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg took pride in the unique characteristics of Sweden as a country that espouses openness, inclusion, innovation, sustainability, and the spirit of collaboration.

The ambassador also celebrated the longstanding friendship between Sweden and the Philippines, and highlighted the remarkable contributions of Swedish companies to fostering this relationship.

These Swedish enterprises include H&M, renowned for its high-quality styles and commitment to sustainability; IKEA with its record-breaking flagship store opened in 2021, and the likes of SAAB, Scania Trucks and Buses, Transcom, Atlas Copco, Volvo Cars, Volvo Buses, Trucks and Construction Equipment, Electrolux, Swedish Match, Ericsson, Retail Associates, Hitachi Energy, ABB, SKF, and Tetra Pak, among other notable names.

“While our countries are located on opposite sides of the world, despite the great geographical distance, there is plenty that binds us together and many commonalities between our regions,” the ambassador said.

“Every year our relationship strengthens and deepens, and the recent visit to the Philippines by the Swedish Minister of Trade Johan Forssell is just one of the latest testaments to this,” she added.

To foster understanding between the two nations, Amb. Thunborg mentioned in her speech four priorities of Sweden: security and unity; competitiveness; the green and energy transition; and democratic values and the rule of law.

These have been key to Sweden’s journey over the last century from one of the poorest countries in Europe to a prosperous welfare state with many internationally renowned companies and innovative startups. Some of them are the Swedish embassy’s corporate and advocacy partners.

With Sweden now holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of the year amid globally challenging times, such as continued Russian aggression against Ukraine, climate change and economic difficulties, Sweden intends to engage more with the Philippines and support the need for safe and secure borders to build socially and economically sustainable societies.

For her part, Amb. Thunborg pressed on the need to respect the rule of law and the international rules-based system to preserve our planet for future generations. “We need the green transition to build peace and stability. Everything is connected,” she said.

This is an area in which Sweden has a lot to offer — from security and defense cooperation, as well as health education and capacity building, to retail and design, telecommunications, sustainable transport, and green industry and energy.

Thunborg said the Swedish government continues to collaborate with the Philippine government on such efforts, citing the recent hosting of a business forum on energy transmission and efficiency as one example.

Dubbed as “Green Transition,” the forum was staged in partnership with the Department of Energy and discussed how Philippine energy efficiency can materialize through partnerships with Swedish companies.

The Swedish ambassador, in closing, expressed her gratitude to her dedicated team and encouraged attendees to seize the opportunity to foster new connections, stating: “Let this evening be an opportunity for you to make new and enhanced connections as a testament to the ever-increasing, long-standing, and sustainable ties between our two countries.”

Through collaboration and building on the Swedish model of success, which emphasizes partnerships across sectors, Sweden has transformed from a struggling nation to a prosperous welfare state with globally recognized companies and innovative startups.

The ambassador’s remarks underscored the importance of working together to address challenges and highlighted the strong and enduring bond between Sweden and the Philippines.