The Northern Forum was established on 8 November 1991 in Alaska USA and the North Forum Non-Profit Organization Certificate was issued on 29 November 1991.

The mission of the NF is to improve the quality of life in the North and support regional sustainable development. The goals are to provide tools and opportunities for regional leaders in solving common problems, implementing joint socio-economic initiatives at the regional level, organizing events, ensuring active engagement in international forums and the implementation of projects of local and Global importance and supporting and enhancing active youth engagement.

The organization's development goal is to turn the Northern Forum into an effective, non-alternative structure for interregional and international cooperation of the regions of the North and the Arctic, which shapes world politics in this area and is an equal partner of international organizations with its own unique niche.

The Northern Forum has a status of Observer in the Arctic Council and it is the only nongovernmental organization for interregional cooperation in that role.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Northern Forum is to improve the quality of life and support the regional sustainable development.

Goals:

• providing tools and opportunities for regional leaders in solving common problems;
• implementing joint socio-economic initiatives at the regional level;
• organizing international forums and implementing projects;

Vision

Turning the Northern Forum into an effective, non-alternative structure for interregional international cooperation of the regions of the North and the Arctic, which shapes world politics in this area and is an equal partner of the Arctic Council, the Barents Region, the University of the Arctic, with its own unique niche.

1. To become a global competence center for interregional international cooperation of the territories of the Arctic and the North.
2. To become an effective training and educational organization for its members and partners.
3. To become a platform for innovative projects.
4. To become an efficient bridge between the entrepreneurs and development finance institutions.
5. To become a smart organization through a partner and expert network.

Principles

• The principle of public (“grassroots”) diplomacy
• The principle of independence and equality
• The principle of respect for international law
• The principle of non-discrimination
• The principle of reliance on neighborhood effects and diversity effects

Secretariat Official Documents