The most important forum covering the whole Arctic region for Finland’s Arctic policies is the Arctic Council. It is a cooperation forum established by eight Arctic states (Iceland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia and the United States). Also the indigenous peoples are involved in the work of the Arctic Council. The task of the council is to promote the cooperation between the Arctic states and the indigenous peoples, especially in questions related to sustainable development and the protection of the environment. 

On state level the Barents cooperation is carried out by the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The objective is to promote stability and sustainable development in the Barents region that covers the northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and the northwestern parts of Russia. The Barents cooperation provides a practical regional viewpoint to the larger Arctic cooperation.

Alongside the intergovernmental Barents Euro-Arctic Council the Barents Regional Council works on the level of regions. In Finland the regions of Lapland, Kainuu, Oulu and North Karelia participate in the cooperation. 

Northern Dimension is cooperation between four equal partners: the European Union, Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland. It aims at supporting stability, well-being and sustainable development. In Finland the Northern Dimension policy is coordinated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 

Even the members of parliament of the Arctic states have their own form of Arctic cooperation. The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region includes members from the national parliaments of the Arctic states and the European Parliament.    Permanent participants include key organisations of indigenous peoples in the region. 
The observers in the Arctic Council and international parliamentary organisations can also participate. The Finnish delegation consists of six members.

The Nordic Council is the parliamentary organ for official Nordic cooperation. It was established in 1952. The council has a total of 87 elected members from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland as well as from the Åland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

The official body for inter-governmental cooperation in the Nordic Region is the Nordic Council of Ministers (link). The organ for cooperation aims at finding common Nordic solutions that have clear positive effects on the citizens.

The cooperation between regions in the Arctic is promoted by The Northern Forum.  The Northern Forum brings together decision-makers on the regional level to discuss their shared interests and to promote business contacts. The Northern Forum has the position of an observer in the Arctic Council.

The Arctic Economic Council (AEC) is an independent organization created by the Arctic Council. Its purpose is to facilitate Arctic business-to-business activities and responsible economic development. Through the sharing of best practices, standards and innovative solutions the AEC will promote responsible economic development in the Arctic.