Gov. Bob Ferguson and Finland's Ambassador to the United States, Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to expand cooperation in maritime industries, aerospace, clean energy, quantum technology and trade. (Photo: Gov. Bob Ferguson's office)
SEATTLE, Wash. – Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the first international agreement of his administration Tuesday, Oct. 13, establishing a new framework for economic and research partnerships between Washington state and Finland.
The countries are strengthening economic ties through a new agreement focused on maritime industries, aerospace, clean energy and emerging technologies, creating a framework for collaboration between businesses, universities and researchers.
Ferguson and Finland’s Ambassador to the United States, Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Seattle’s National Nordic Museum during the 2026 Nordic Innovation Summit.
The agreement is the first collaborative agreement Ferguson has signed with a foreign nation since taking office in 2025. It builds on a 2021 partnership and establishes priorities for future trade, research and academic cooperation between Washington and Finland.
“Washington state and Finland are global leaders in developing cutting-edge innovations. Today’s agreement strengthens our ties and helps build connections to create business opportunities, share expertise and expand academic partnerships with our world-class universities. Our partnership is focused on industries that reflect Washington and Finland’s shared values and complementary strengths.”
Gov. Bob Ferguson
Maritime, Aerospace and Clean Energy Industries Targeted
The agreement identifies six areas for cooperation between Washington and Finland, including maritime safety and sustainability, aerospace and defense innovation, clean energy generation and storage, sustainable forestry and fisheries, transportation and battery development, and emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
The partnership is intended to help businesses establish international connections, facilitate trade missions and connect small companies with potential investors and suppliers. It also creates opportunities for researchers and institutions to share expertise and develop cross-border supply chains.
One example involves quantum computing, an area in which Washington has established research capabilities. Finland produces cryogenic materials used in quantum computing, creating a potential connection between Finnish suppliers and Washington researchers.
The agreement could help smaller research companies identify international suppliers they might otherwise lack the resources to find.
Maritime industries offer another opportunity for cooperation. Finland is building the next generation of U.S. polar icebreakers, while Washington is home to the U.S. icebreaking fleet and the civilian maritime workforce that maintains the vessels between deployments.
The agreement could connect Washington’s maritime specialists with Finnish shipbuilders to share knowledge about ship design and maintenance as the new vessels enter U.S. service.
Finnish Companies Already Have Washington Connections
Mikkola said the agreement provides a framework for turning shared interests in innovation and sustainable growth into practical cooperation.
“Finnish companies such as Nokia (mobile networks), Wärtsilä (marine and energy technologies), KONE (escalators and elevators), Vaisala (weather technologies), and Kemira (water treatment solutions) create jobs in local communities and further strengthen the ties between Finland and Washington,” Mikkola said.
She added that state-level partnerships support transatlantic relations and help build on opportunities for future cooperation.
Agreement Builds on 2021 Partnership
The new memorandum expands on a 2021 agreement that supported collaboration between the University of Washington and Finnish educators and institutions on media literacy and efforts to combat misinformation.
The earlier partnership also led to three official Washington delegations visiting Finland and a 2023 visit to Washington by Finland’s president.
Washington delegations have explored additional opportunities in sustainable forestry, forest management, biomass utilization and innovative wood-based products.
During the 2023 visit, Finland’s president delivered the first address by a foreign head of state to the Washington state Legislature.
This year’s summit focused on issues including Arctic cooperation, climate resilience, the energy transition, security, health innovation and emerging technologies.
The new agreement establishes a framework for continued cooperation, with the goal of expanding business opportunities, sharing technical expertise and strengthening academic and economic connections between Washington and Finland.
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