The NRF organizes a biennial open meeting at which members of the research community and representatives of a wide range of other northern stakeholders can meet and exchange ideas. The first Open Assembly took place in Akureyri, Iceland in November 2000, the second in Veliky Novgorod, Russia in September 2002 and the third in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada in September 2004. The fourth Open Assembly was held in Oulu, Tornio, Haparanda and Luleå in Sweden and Finland, October 5-8, 2006 and the Fifth NRF Open Assembly was held in Anchorage, Alaska, 24-27 September 2008.

The sixth NRF Open Assembly will be held in Oslo, Norway in the fall of 2011.

From an Open Meeting to an Open Assembly

The Steering Committee of the NRF has decided that the biennial NRF meeting will be called an Open Assembly instead of an Open Meeting and consequently all the NRF meetings after the 4th Open Meeting in Oulu / Luleå in 2006 will be called Open Assemblies, starting with the 5th NRF Open Assembly in Anchorage, Alaska in 2008.

In the early-21st century, the Circumpolar North has faced rapid and significant environmental, geoeconomic and geopolitical changes, drawing global attention. The current stable political situation in the region and natural and cultural diversities are not given nor determined. Therefore, there is a growing need for both open discussion and dialogue based on expertise between all active actors and stakeholders, and more interactive stages, forums and networks with deeper discussion and representation. The NRF Open Assemblies are the venue for such dialogue, giving Arctic / Northern stakeholder's opportunity to address and discuss those issues that arise.