Golden State Today

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Governor Dong Yeon KIM of Gyeonggi Province in South Korea solidified a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at fostering collaboration between the two regions. Governor Newsom expressed the significance of the partnership, stating, “California is forging new partnerships around the globe to advance climate action and grow our economy. Like California, Gyeonggi is the tentpole of its nation’s economy and a driving force for innovation. Working together, we can help lift communities on both sides of the Pacific.”

Governor Dong Yeon KIM reciprocated the sentiment, saying, “Gyeonggi and California share a common vision of building global partnerships to respond to the climate crisis. We look forward to collaborating on innovative technologies and future high-tech industries for sustainable development along with our climate efforts.”

The collaboration between California and Gyeonggi is significant as both regions are the most populous subnationals in their respective countries and are recognized for being economic powerhouses and centers of innovation. Notably, both California and Gyeonggi have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and 2050, respectively.

California's proactive approach to climate action has positioned the state as a leader in environmental initiatives. Governor Newsom has been actively forming partnerships globally to address climate change. Previous partnerships include collaborations with Sweden, Norway, China, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and regions within the U.S. such as Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. These partnerships have been instrumental in advancing climate goals and fostering international cooperation in combating the climate crisis.

The MOU signed between California and Gyeonggi Province signifies a mutual commitment to promoting trade relations, advancing climate goals, and facilitating people-to-people exchanges. This partnership is expected to drive innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth in both regions.