Participants of the Seventh Northern Forum signed the Harbin declaration on Sunday in an effort to promote the sustainable development of the northern regions of the world.

The declaration gave a positive appraisal for the participants' substantial efforts to improve the international cooperation on such fields as long-range medical treatment techniques, promoting healthy ways of life, projects involving the rescue of brown bears and mid-air surveys of water fowls, and protecting the unique feature of northern cultures. The declaration also designated crucial areas for future cooperation.

Pokka Hannele, governor of Lapland of Finland and chairperson of the forum, said the northern region is confronting with such grave, stark problems as those relating to flood, abnormal weather, environmental protection and sustainable development.

The forum will continue to promote sustainable development, trade and business exchanges as well as cultural cooperation in the region, Hannele added.

The forum has elected the members of the board of directors for its next session and reached the decision that the Eighth Northern Forum will be held in 2007 in Khanty-Mansi of Russia's far east region.

Established in November 1991, the Northern Forum, a non- governmental and non-profit organization, currently comprises a total of 17 provinces, states or regions from nine countries, including China's northernmost Heilongjiang Province, Canada's Alberta Province and Finland's Lapland Province.

The forum is aimed at promoting the sustainable development of northern cities by providing northern regional leaders with opportunities to compare note and share their knowledge and expertise.

Source: Xinhua