Launching California-Finland partnership<\/p>\n
Governor Newsom inked a new partnership with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to strengthen California-Finland economic cooperation and advance a sustainable, inclusive green economy. The partnership creates a framework for collaboration on clean technology and sustainability, aerospace and defense innovation, health and life sciences, emerging technologies, quantum computing, cybersecurity, research, and sustainable forest bioeconomy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia and Finland are global leaders in innovation, sustainability, and the industries shaping the future,\u201d said Dee Dee Myers, Director of the Governor\u2019s Office of Business and Economic Development. \u201cThis new partnership will help deepen economic cooperation and create new opportunities to advance clean energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFinland is proud to partner with a state that shares our ambition to develop solutions for the future,\u201d said Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland. \u201cThis partnership deepens cooperation between Finland and California, creates new economic opportunities, and strengthens collaboration and dialogue on innovation and emerging technologies across the Atlantic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The partnership calls for the exchange of policy ideas and best practices, support for research collaborations, promotion of business engagement, and stronger relationships among California and Finnish local and regional jurisdictions.<\/p>\n
California and Finland share interests in clean technology, methane reduction, climate resilience, and innovation.<\/p>\n
United Nations climate action The Governor joined Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, and former Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo in the session\u2019s only panel of subnational leaders. During the panel, Governor Newsom underscored the importance of subnational governments delivering practical climate solutions at speed and scale.<\/p>\n California at Climate Week NYC<\/p>\n Climate Week NYC convenes government leaders, businesses, investors, advocates, researchers, philanthropies, and community leaders from around the world to advance practical climate solutions.<\/p>\n Governor Newsom is participating to highlight California\u2019s record of cutting pollution while growing the economy, strengthen partnerships with international and subnational leaders, and accelerate progress on clean energy, zero-emission transportation, climate resilience, and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n California\u2019s global climate network<\/p>\n California has long been a key player on the international stage \u2014 from taking joint action on climate change to identifying new pathways and partnerships for sustained economic growth. During the Newsom administration alone, California has formed over 70 international partnerships that lay critical groundwork for our continued economic success, while prioritizing workers and businesses that benefit from these new opportunities.<\/p>\n Golden State and global partnerships\u00a0<\/p>\n United Kingdom (2026): California and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding<\/a> to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development together. The memorandum of understanding builds on an already strong history of cooperation, and focuses on areas for collaboration including clean energy technologies, climate resilience, decarbonizing transportation, and protecting the natural environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chile (2025): California and Chile signed a memorandum of understanding<\/a>\u00a0 regarding exchanging information, developing best practices, and cooperating on methane emissions reduction. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, and the partnership between California and Chile opens up new opportunities for both partners to cooperate on methane reduction in waste, agriculture, and energy sectors.<\/p>\n Colombia (2025): California and Colombia signed a partnership to advance joint efforts on forest conservation<\/a>, methane reduction, climate resilience, and clean energy development. The memorandum of understanding deepens coordination on protecting the Amazon, strengthening biodiversity, and expanding nature-based climate solutions that support sustainable and equitable economic growth.<\/p>\n Nigeria (2025): California signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria<\/a> on sustainable urban transportation, green ports, low-carbon transportation fuels, climate adaptation, methane detection and abatement policies, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, and academic exchange and university partnerships. The partnership will build upon our shared commitment to sustainable growth, accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation, and expand opportunities for the next generation.<\/p>\n Brazil (2025): California signed a memorandum of understanding with<\/a> the Brazilian federal government to scale up cooperation on climate, clean energy, cutting pollution, and job-creating climate opportunities. This new partnership, announced in September 2025, will advance market-based carbon pricing programs, expand clean transportation, including zero-emission vehicles and low-carbon fuels, and strengthen air quality management through enhanced monitoring and regulatory controls. The partnership also focuses on conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030, including nature-based solutions and biodiversity protection. In 2025, California also advanced a partnership with the State of Par\u00e1 to strengthen cooperation on wildfire prevention and response<\/a> \u2014 enhancing forest monitoring, identifying areas most at risk, and sharing research and expertise to improve firefighting and emergency management.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kenya (2025): California signed a partnership focused on cutting pollution and supporting trade. The partnership advances medium- and long-term low-carbon development<\/a>, policy research, development, and innovation in sustainable land use and urban planning that reduces long commutes and urban sprawl, while promoting integrated land use and transport systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n Noord-Holland (2024): California and Noord-Holland signed a Letter of Intent advancing next-generation air mobility \u2014 from drones to zero-emission aircraft. Joint innovation missions are producing pilot projects that inform California\u2019s Advanced Air Mobility Implementation Plan and readiness for major global events.<\/p>\n
\nAt the United Nations, Governor Newsom called out Donald Trump for abandoning America\u2019s responsibility to confront the climate crisis and protect the strongest economy in the world. The Governor\u00a0 joined local and regional leaders from around the world at the United Nations Secretary-General\u2019s High-level Event on Climate Action and the Just Transition<\/a>, underscoring that subnational governments remain essential partners in confronting the climate crisis. As the highest-ranking U.S. voice on the panel, the Governor highlighted California\u2019s record of pairing climate action with economic growth, and he reaffirmed the Golden State\u2019s commitment to working with global partners to accelerate the clean energy transition.\u00a0<\/p>\n