Annette Lyth appointed as new Director of Swedwatch

Swedwatch has appointed Annette Lyth as its new Director. A lawyer specialising in human rights, Annette Lyth brings extensive international experience, primarily from leadership positions within the United Nations across several regions of the world. She will assume her new role on 15 October 2026.

Annette Lyth is a senior leader with extensive experience in promoting human rights and strengthening the rule of law in both humanitarian and development settings. Her international career spans Europe, Africa and Asia and includes leadership positions within organisations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Most recently, she served as Head of a United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) field office in Kabul from 2023 to 2025, where she was, among other responsibilities, responsible for leading the office's human rights work. She has also led the UN's largest regional programme to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

Alongside her international work, Annette currently teaches in the Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice programme at Karlstad University. She has also taught international law at the Swedish Defence University.

-I am truly honoured by the opportunity and very much look forward to joining Swedwatch. As Swedish development cooperation becomes increasingly intertwined with private sector interests, Swedwatch's independent scrutiny of corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment is more important than ever. I look forward to working together with colleagues and partners to further strengthen Swedwatch's work and help ensure that people affected by business activities have greater opportunities to make their voices heard and stand up for their rights, says Annette Lyth.

Her appointment comes at a time when issues related to corporate accountability, human rights and sustainable development are becoming increasingly important, both in Sweden and globally.

Annette Lyth joins Swedwatch at an important moment in the organisation's development. Following a period of considerable financial uncertainty, Swedwatch has recently secured a new three-year programme support agreement with Sida (The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) creating new opportunities to strengthen and expand its work.

-We are delighted that Annette has accepted the position as Director of Swedwatch. Her extensive experience in human rights and international affairs, combined with her legal expertise, will be a tremendous asset to the organisation. With a new three-year programme support agreement from Sida now in place, Swedwatch is well positioned to strengthen and further develop its work. We look forward to embarking on this next chapter together with Annette as Director, says Sofia Stenfeldt, Chair of the Board of Swedwatch.

Annette Lyth will take up the position of Director on 15 October 2026.