NATO meeting in Helsingborg

21–22 May 2026

Host city Helsingborg

On April 8, 2025, Helsingborg was announced as the site for Sweden’s first NATO meeting. Officially designating Helsingborg as host city—and marking an important occasion in both local and Swedish history.

In the government’s press release, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard highlighted the significance of gathering in Skåne:

“Sweden is proud to host NATO’s informal meeting of foreign ministers in Skåne next year. I look forward to welcoming my colleagues to a strategically important region.”

Located on the Öresund Strait—one of the world’s busiest waterways and the gateway to the Baltic Sea—Helsingborg connects the Nordics with the rest of Europe.

Thank you, Helsingborg—together, we made it possible

During the NATO meeting, Helsingborg showed what our city stands for. Despite temporary restrictions, changes to accessibility and heightened activity across the city, visitors, delegates and residents were met with patience, professionalism and warmth.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all residents, businesses, associations and organisations who contributed with understanding, flexibility and commitment throughout the meeting. Thank you to everyone who adapted their daily routines, welcomed guests, helped visitors find their way and continued to bring life and energy to the city.

We did it. Together.

Thank you for helping make Helsingborg a safe, welcoming and professional host city.

Why Helsingborg?

Helsingborg holds strategic importance for NATO. This is where the Öresund Strait is at its narrowest, and where the Russian shadow fleet passes almost daily. Helsingborg was also highlighted as an attractive location with extensive experience of hosting major meetings and events.

drönarbild över hamninloppet i Helsingborg

“I would like to thank the city and the people of Helsingborg. They showed exceptional hospitality, and the meeting turned out as well as we’d hoped.”

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Foto: Nato

Perspectives from the meeting

Christian Orsing, Mayor of Helsingborg

“It’s exciting to have this level of attention focused on our city. Hosting a global event of this kind would not have been possible without strong collaboration between the city, residents and local businesses. If we can deliver hospitality at this world-class level, there’s no limit to what we can achieve next.”

Carina Leffler, City Manager

“Helsingborg is Sweden’s eighth-largest city and relatively small from an international perspective. But if there’s one thing that defines this city, it’s that when we want to get something of this scale done, we make it happen.”

Fredrik Jörgensen, Senior Adviser at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

“Helsingborg was chosen because of its unique position. It sits at the gateway to the Baltic Sea—an area that is a key focus for Sweden within NATO.”

Ann-Sofie Dahl, NATO expert and Associate Professor of International Politics

“There are no words to describe how exciting this is. It’s a major moment for Helsingborg, but also for NATO—and for all of us.”

Talking NATO with business

Helsingborg’s role as host city for Sweden’s first NATO meeting brought more than international attention. It also created an opportunity to strengthen dialogue with the local business community around security, preparedness and future business opportunities.

The City of Helsingborg hosted two business events ahead of the meeting. A third follow-up event is planned for September.

Dinner at Sofiero Palace

The informal NATO dinner took place on Thursday evening at the beautiful Sofiero Palace. NATO foreign ministers arrived by motorcade from Helsingborg for an evening in a royal setting. Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard, hosted the dinner together with King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

“Meeting here at Sofiero highlights the close ties with our neighbouring countries and the gateway to the Baltic Sea – a key area for Sweden’s engagement in NATO.”

Kung Carl XIV Gustaf

Foto: Kungahuset

Global media coverage

Around 200 journalists from 25 countries reported from the NATO meeting in Helsingborg. The coverage brought significant international attention to the city, and included a live broadcast of Swedish Television’s Aktuellt from the city centre on Thursday evening.

An international press programme offered visiting media a broader introduction to Helsingborg as an innovative, sustainable and attractive city. The programme included company visits, talks at the city’s innovation hub Parken and guided tours. Journalists also had free access to e-bikes, making it easy to experience more of Helsingborg.

Exhibition at Sundstorget

An exhibition on preparedness and resilience has opened at Sundstorget in connection with the NATO meeting in Helsingborg. The exhibition aims to spark curiosity and build pride in the city’s strategic position and the opportunities it creates.

Sometimes it’s about water, food and logistics. Sometimes about trees, coffee and a greenhouse in the middle of the city. In short, it’s a mix of stories about preparedness, people and a city that can keep going even when put to the test.

The exhibition runs until August 28.

32 foreign ministers from NATO member states

2941

mentions in national and international media

200 journalists from 25 countries covered the meeting

1,000

people in a range of roles took part in the meeting

Historic event

first NATO meeting held in Sweden—a historic moment for both Sweden and Helsingborg

Royal visit

Sweden’s King and Queen welcomed guests to Sofiero and attended the dinner.

A warm Helsingborg welcome

Hosting Sweden’s first NATO meeting was a great honour for Helsingborg. The ambition was to show the city at its very best and offer world-class hospitality—an experience that attendees and organisers would remember long after the meeting ended.

As a personal gesture, ministers and delegations received a specially curated kit in their hotel rooms. The kit included an exclusive praline created by local chocolatier Chocolatte, a book highlighting Helsingborg’s strengths and identity, and a personal greeting from Mayor Christian Orsing.

Guests also received an exclusive coffee and tin from a special Zoégas edition featuring Rörstrand’s classic Mon Amie pattern, as well as a specially designed patch commemorating the meeting in Helsingborg

The place The people The preparedness

At a time when preparedness and civil defence have become defining issues for the future, Helsingborg is emerging as one of Europe’s leading cities for resilience, crisis preparedness and robust value chains. The city is helping drive both the pace and direction of development.

In The place, The people, The preparedness, we explore what makes Helsingborg strategically important for preparedness—but also the people and businesses that make it possible.

Order the book

Security during the meeting

Before and during the meeting, police maintained a strong presence in and around Helsingborg. The operation became one of the largest police efforts in Sweden’s history, with support from Danish police as well. During parts of the meeting, the area around the main meeting venue was closed to the public, and security operations had a visible presence across the city.

Mattias Sigfridsson, operational commander for the NATO meeting, praised the police effort:

“We are proud of what the Swedish Police were able to demonstrate during the meeting. It has been rewarding to show Swedish policing at its most professional.”