Talking NATO with business
Strengthening dialogue with the business community
Sweden’s first NATO meeting on May 21–22, 2026 created several opportunities for Helsingborg. The city found itself in the international spotlight, but the meeting became more than a high-level diplomatic gathering. It also created a unique opportunity for discussions with the business community about preparedness, security and total defence.
Preparing together
In the lead-up to the NATO meeting, the City of Helsingborg brought together representatives from business, government, academia and other expert organisations for two major events at Dunkers Culture House. Interest was high, with more than 300 participants attending the first business lunch on April 17 to discuss civil defence, total defence and how a changing geopolitical landscape is affecting both businesses and society.
The discussions focused on how Helsingborg’s strategic importance is evolving in response to growing demands for resilience, logistics and the safeguarding of critical flows. The city’s position is no longer defined by geography alone, but also by its ability to maintain essential functions, supply chains and preparedness within a broader national and international context. The event was moderated by the City’s Director of Economic Development, Soraya Axelsson. Speakers included Fredrik Jörgensen, Deputy Director at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Mattias Sigfridsson, Police Area Commander for North-West Skåne; Kajsa Helmbring, Director of Defence at the County Administrative Board of Skåne; Emma Lindström, Logistics Director at ICA Sweden; Pontus Klenell, CEO of Aqua Nobel; Bart Steijaert, CEO of the Port of Helsingborg; Christian Orsing, Mayor of Helsingborg; and Johan Bergström, Director of the Lund University Centre for Preparedness and Resilience (LUPREP).
The day before the NATO meeting, a networking event brought together NATO experts, media representatives, police officials and companies from the growing preparedness sector. Speakers included NATO expert Ann-Sofie Dahl; Daniel Ljunggren, CEO of MilDef; Heidi Avellan, senior columnist at Sydsvenskan and Helsingborgs Dagblad; Anders Wendel, Delivery and Operations Manager at Combitech; Carina Leffler, City Manager; and Christian Orsing, Mayor of Helsingborg.
Preparedness in focus
Preparedness was a recurring theme at both events, reflecting how it is no longer a concern separate from day-to-day operations. For businesses, it is increasingly linked to competitiveness, adaptability and the ability to continue operating during periods of uncertainty. At the same time, developments in the field are creating new opportunities in areas such as security, technology, logistics and resilience.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public sector, business and academia. Helsingborg is already home to several initiatives supporting that development, including research programmes focused on preparedness and resilience at Lund University.
The dialogue continues
For Helsingborg, the NATO meeting was more than an international event. It also provided an opportunity to bring people together around the city’s future role in a changing geopolitical landscape. The conversation will continue after the summer, when the City of Helsingborg once again invites the business community to take part in a follow-up event focused on lessons learned from the NATO meeting and the work ahead.