The key facts

  • At COP31 in Antalya, Newsom said there are opportunities for cooperation with Turkey on wildfires and reforestation
  • He called the midterm election results a 'historic rebuke' to Trump
  • He promises to decide on running in the 2028 Democratic primaries in early January

Cooperation on wildfires and reforestation

California Governor Gavin Newsom, during his visit to the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, said he sees broad opportunities for cooperation with Turkey in the areas of wildfire suppression and reforestation. According to him, California and Turkey have much in common: a Mediterranean climate and mounting wildfire pressure create similar challenges. 'I think there is a lot to learn and a lot to share,' Newsom said in an interview with Anadolu. He added that for a second he even wondered whether he was back home in California because of how similar the environmental conditions were.

Context of the visit

Newsom, whose term as governor is coming to an end, is leading California's delegation at the summit in the absence of an official US federal delegation. He noted that exchanging firefighting technologies, best practices and approaches to reforestation aligns directly with climate resilience initiatives in the US and California.

Comments on the elections and 2028 plans

Touching on the US midterm elections held last week, Newsom said that President Donald Trump's term had 'in a sense ended' after voters, in his words, delivered a 'historic rebuke.' According to him, Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress, and newly elected lawmakers now have a mandate to govern and to present a 'positive alternative agenda' ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Asked directly whether he plans to compete for the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2028 election, Newsom did not give a direct answer, but set out a timeline: he will make the decision in early January, and will spend the coming weeks with his family.