The Arctic Mayors’ Forum is an organization that aims to give local governments a voice in the development of the Arctic. Until now, the Arctic governance system has offered no formalized and structured procedure for local communities to be involved on a continuous basis in Arctic policymaking.

Members represent local governments in the Arctic states of Canada, Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the USA.

In 2017, mayors and elected leaders came together in Fairbanks to discuss the need to create a common platform for cooperation to advocate the interests of the peoples and communities in the Arctic

Mayors are trusted with representing their citizens’ best interests, and many communities in the Arctic region face similar situations and can benefit from cross border cooperation with other local governments.

Formally established in 2019, AMF’s Mission is to ensure the participation of mayors and elected community leaders at Arctic governance tables to ensure that the values, goals, and interests of Arctic peoples are voiced and considered.

Our common goal is for our citizens to have good lives, lived in sustainably developed and resilient communities. We stand behind the idea that the challenges and opportunities the Arctic faces requires sustained and meaningful engagement with local leaders.

Mayor of Tromsø, Gunnar Wilhelmsen, is the Chair of the Forum for the period of 2023-2025. The AMF follows the Arctic Council Chairship rotation. First chairman of the Forum was Ásthildur Sturludóttir, Mayor of Akureyri from 2019-2022,

Membership

Membership in the AMF is open to mayors and elected leaders of local governments located in the Arctic states. The AMF is a membership fee based organization. To enquire about becoming a member please contact the AMF Secretariat.

Organizational structure

General Assembly

The General Assembly is a biennial gathering of all members to elect a new Executive Committee and to discuss and decide policies, priorities and operations of the Forum.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee manages the operations of the Forum in the period between the general assemblies. The Executive Committee consists of seven members with one representative respectively from Canada, Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the USA. The Secretary General of the AMF is also part of the Executive Committee.

Under the Norwegian Chairship of the AMF (2023-2025) the Executive Committee consists of: Akureyri, Iceland – Fairbanks, Alaska – Yellowknife, Canada – Tornio, Finland – Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq, Greenland – Tromsø, Norway and Umeå, Sweden.

Secretary-General

Patti Bruns has been Secretary General of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum since 2022. She has previously worked as Executive Secretary for two Arctic Council working groups, EPPR and ACAP. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as a Senior Advisor at the Canadian International Arctic Centre within Global Affairs Canada. With a profound understanding of Arctic governance and the multifaceted issues impacting those who call the North home, her mission is clear: to catalyze meaningful dialogue and action among decision-makers at all levels. As Secretary General of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, she continues to champion initiatives that promote inclusive, adaptive, and forward-thinking solutions for the Arctic’s future.

Secretariat

The AMFs Secretariat is permanently located in Tromsø, Norway and was official opened by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2023.

Support to the AMF Secretariat is provided by in-kind contributions from nine members – Akureyri, Sermersooq, Tromsø, Bodø, Fairbanks, Oulu, Luleå, Rovaniemi and Umeå.