Helsinki Partners

Helsinki – September 23, 2026 -- Helsinki has ranked first on the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index for the third consecutive year, with results published Wednesday, September 23, 2026, scoring 93% across more than 70 sustainability indicators.

Helsinki scores 93% while over 100 global cities compete on sustainability metrics

The GDS Index evaluates tourist destinations across four categories: environmental performance, supply chains, destination management and social sustainability. More than 100 cities committed to sustainability were assessed in this year's comparison, and Helsinki again topped the ranking.

"Securing the top position for the third consecutive year demonstrates that sustainability is not a one-off achievement but a long-term strategic commitment," said Nina Vesterinen, Director of Tourism, City of Helsinki.

Helsinki – September 03, 2026 -- Helsinki will host two major design events in close succession this year, with Helsinki Design Week running 28 August to 6 September 2026 and Habitare, the Nordic region's leading furniture and interior fair, taking place 2-6 September 2026 at Messukeskus, the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.

Helsinki Design Week ranks as the largest design and architecture festival in the Nordics

The festival spreads across studios, cultural institutions and public spaces citywide under the 2026 theme 'The Oncoming Other,' focused on encounters between people, ideas and places. Habitare runs its Messukeskus program alongside city-centre showrooms under the theme 'Plot Twists,' emphasizing unpredictability and shifts in direction as design drivers.