Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari appeared at a European Union ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg with her three-month-old baby.

The presence of the child aimed to highlight the benefits of parental leave policies and to show that motherhood does not have to hinder professional activity. A spokesperson for the Council of the European Union confirmed that this is the first known instance of a baby being present at an EU ministerial meeting.

Durante una riunione del Consiglio dell’Unione europea a Lussemburgo, la ministra svedese per l’Ambiente Romina Pourmokhtari è stata interrotta dal pianto del figlio mentre stava intervenendo sui temi delle politiche energetiche e delle emissioni di CO2. La ministra ha reagito… pic.twitter.com/LRBsooO2yY

— La Stampa (@LaStampa) June 25, 2026

Sweden operates an extensive parental leave system, including sixteen months of paid leave and special provisions encouraging fathers’ participation.

An unusual scene was recorded during a European Union climate policy meeting, when a three-month-old baby appeared at the negotiating table, surprising participants.

The baby, named Adam, was brought to the meeting in Luxembourg by Sweden’s Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari, with the aim of showcasing the benefits of parental leave policies that do not force women to choose between work and family responsibilities.

As she stated, her child’s presence was meant to demonstrate in practice that motherhood does not need to be an obstacle to professional life, noting that this also presupposes a partner who actively shares family responsibilities.

A spokesperson for the EU Council confirmed that, based on available information, this is the first time a baby has attended an EU ministerial meeting.

The 30-year-old Swedish minister was the youngest in her country’s history when she took office in 2022. She recently returned from maternity leave, while her husband is on parental leave until Sweden’s upcoming elections and accompanied her to Luxembourg to help care for the child.

Sweden operates one of the most extensive parental leave systems in the world, funded through high taxation, offering around 16 months of paid leave, with part of it reserved specifically for each parent.

So-called “non-transferable days” or “father’s months” were introduced to encourage fathers’ participation in childcare. The minister emphasized that such policies, combined with flexible working arrangements and access to affordable childcare, help reduce parental burnout and create broader social and economic benefits.

During the meeting, Poland’s deputy climate minister commented that the baby’s presence was not an issue, saying it was “normal and part of life.”