Finland and California strengthen their commercial and economic cooperation

On 23 September 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Finland and the State of California to strengthen commercial and economic ties between Finland and California.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for deeper cooperation, particularly in clean technology and sustainable solutions, aviation and defence innovation, health and biosciences, emerging technologies, research and higher education, and sustainable forest bioeconomy. Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen and Governor of California Gavin Newsom met for bilateral talks in connection with the signing of the MoU.

“California is one of the world's leading centres for innovation and economic activity. This partnership will deepen cooperation between Finland and California, opening up new commercial and economic opportunities and strengthening innovation collaboration and dialogue in the research and development of emerging technologies on both sides of the Atlantic,” Foreign Minister Valtonen says.

Over the coming months, Finland and California will agree on concrete next steps in California to advance the implementation of the MoU. Finland’s Consulate General in Los Angeles and commercial office in Palo Alto play a key role in promoting cooperation between the parties.

California is Finland’s seventh partner state in the United States. Finland has signed similar documents with Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Washington to strengthen state-level cooperation. This cooperation also helps to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Finland and the United States.