Background
The Inari-Pasvik region is the area where the borders of Finland, Norway and Russia meet. In terms of nature protection the region is unique since a continuous area across the three national borders is protected. The lush valley of the Pasvik river stretches from Lake Inari towards the Barents Sea, and appears as a nerve of life in the wide, forested landscape.
Trilateral cooperation between nature protection authorities across the borders emerged already in the early 1990s. Since then, many joint projects and annual meetings have been implemented successfully.
In 2008 Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park cooperation was formalised with an trilateral cooperation agreement between Metsähallitus (FIN), Pasvik Zapovednik (RUS) and the County Governor of Finnmark (NOR). The same year the Trilateral Park was also awarded the EUROPARC Federation Transboundary Parks...following nature's design - Certificate. The cooperation was confirmed by the same transboundary certificate both in 2013 and 2018.
Now the region is navigating complex environmental and geopolitical challenges. Following changes in international relations since 2022, the framework for cooperation has evolved. Two Russian protected areas are no longer part of the collaboration, and the cooperation previously known as the Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park now continues as the Pasvik–Inari Transboundary Area, reflecting the current partnership.
Despite these changes, the commitment to nature conservation, sustainable management, and dialogue across borders remains strong. From 2024/2025 onwards, Norway and Finland continue our bilateral cooperation on nature protection within the Pasvik–Inari Transboundary Area. The bilateral cooperation confirmed our commitment to cross border cooperation with being re-certified EUROPARC Transboundary Protected Area in autumn 2025.
