November 8 — The Northern Forum Turns 35!
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Northern Forum. The organization was initiated and founded by Walter Hickel, the Governor of Alaska. On November 8, 1991, in Anchorage, the leaders of various northern regions signed a document establishing this international, non-profit, non-governmental organization. Its purpose was to foster cooperation among northern regions across the North and the Arctic. On November 29, 1991, the Northern Forum was officially registered in the State of Alaska as a non-profit corporation, "Northern Forum, Inc."
In 2013, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) became the hub for the organization’s operations, with its headquarters shifting from Anchorage to Yakutsk. Today, the Northern Forum serves as a cornerstone for international cooperation in the Arctic, with its primary base now located in Russia.
The mission of the Northern Forum is to improve the quality of life for the population and ensure the sustainable development of its member regions. To this end, the Forum:
* provides regional leaders and representatives with the opportunity to identify challenges and gain experience in developing solutions;
* implements modern socio-economic initiatives at the regional level;
* organizes forums and various projects.
Currently, the Northern Forum includes 12 regions from Russia, the United States, and the Republic of Korea. Its supreme governing body is the Council of Governors, while the Committee of Regional Coordinators oversees operations between meetings. A comprehensive ecosystem has developed around the Forum, including:
* business partners;
* working and expert groups;
* the Northern Forum Ambassadors program;
* the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research (RACAR);
* the Youth Northern Forum;
* the Northern Forum School Association;
* the Northern Forum on Sustainable Development. Anniversary events began as early as this spring. On May 14, 2026, the Magadan Region—one of the founding regions of the Northern Forum—hosted a meeting of the Committee of Regional Coordinators, held in honor of this milestone year. In December, a commemorative meeting of the regions will take place in Moscow, alongside a press conference at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the 35th anniversary of the Northern Forum.
On behalf of the organization, I would like to express my gratitude to the heads and representatives of the regions, our partners, experts, the Northern Forum team, our veterans, and everyone who has supported the Northern Forum over the years. Special thanks go to the pioneers who stood at the very inception of this organization. Your contributions have fostered the development of the Forum and continue to open new avenues for international cooperation.
The Northern Forum: Caring for the North!