In a keynote the Swedish Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin outlined the need for civil defence and urged EU members to collaborate more closely on security.
On 20 November 2024, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defence, delivered a keynote address at the Hertie School in Berlin during his official visit to Germany for the Berlin Security Conference. The event was co-hosted by the Hertie School’s Centre for International Security and moderated by Centre Director and Professor of International Security Marina Henke.
After the welcome and introductory remarks by Cornelia Woll, President of the Hertie School, Marina Henke took the stage to introduce Minister Bohlin. She praised Bohlin’s role-model character, not only because he is a comparably young politician, but also because of his relentless determination to improve Sweden’s civil defence capabilities – a crucial ingredient in preparing EU countries for potential security threats.
Carl-Oskar Bohlin: We need robust civil defence mechanisms
Minister Bohlin emphasised the need to enact robust civil defence mechanisms in the face of escalating global crises and potential conflicts. “Guns are a prerequisite for butter and better for general welfare, as we are experiencing the direst situation since the second World War,” Bohlin said, alluding to the well-known economic dilemma of “guns vs butter”, which refers to a possible trade-off between security and welfare policies.
Bohlin outlined Sweden’s comprehensive approach to civil defence, which involves coordinated efforts between government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society. The strategy rests on the booklet Om krisen eller kriget kommer (In case of crises or war), published and recently updated by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), under the Swedish Ministry for Civil Defence.
The Swedish Minister stressed public awareness and education, noting that an informed and prepared citizenry is the cornerstone of any country’s national resilience. He also called for the establishment of standardised protocols and information-sharing frameworks among nations to effectively counter cyberattacks and protect critical infrastructure.
Minister Bohlin concluded by reiterating Sweden’s commitment to strengthening civil defence capabilities and fostering international cooperation to tackle shared security challenges. His address was a call to action for nations to prioritise civil defence in their national security strategies, ensuring preparedness in an increasingly uncertain world.
What’s ahead for NATO with the next Trump administration?
Questions from the audience centred, among others, on the future of security politics given that Donald Trump, a known NATO-sceptic, had just been re-elected President of the United States. Bohlin stressed that all NATO partners must commit in financial and practical terms to the preparedness of the security alliance. We should focus on what we can influence, he said, and that is our own stance on defence.
For an in-depth understanding of Minister Bohlin’s perspectives on civil defence, watch his full address below.