PHOENIX, ARIZ. - On Monday, the City of Phoenix and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) co-hosted a private Welcome and Kick-Off Reception in the Phoenix City Hall Atrium to launch the U.S.-Mexico Semiconductor Collaboration Forum. The theme of the Forum is "Advancing Subnational Priorities and Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration."

Watch a video recap of the Welcome and Kick-Off Reception

The reception brought together Forum speakers, moderators, binational partners and select attendees for an evening of informal networking and cross-sector connection ahead of the full-day Forum on Tuesday at Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management in Downtown Phoenix. The kick-off event served as a dynamic prelude to the Forum's main sessions, offering a space for relationship-building across government, industry and academia.

"This Forum is an exciting opportunity for Phoenix to build on one of its most recent great success stories of delivering a powerful economic future for semiconductor innovation, highlighted by attracting America's largest foreign direct investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and its resulting supply chain to Phoenix," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. "I will continue to strategically reach out to partners across North America to deliver necessary solutions across borders in shaping a resilient, competitive, and connected semiconductor ecosystem that will benefit Phoenix and the entire mega-region."

The Forum itself is part of an ongoing series, building on three previous engagements held in Mexico and spearheaded by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and CANIETI. This year's event marked the first Forum hosted in the U.S., reflecting a growing regional commitment to align on semiconductor priorities, supply chain resilience and workforce development.

"The timing of this forum couldn't be more critical," said Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O'Brien, who represents City Council District 1 in which the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) fabrication facility is located. "As global demand for semiconductors continues to surge, and nations worldwide recognize semiconductors as essential to economic prosperity and national security, we have a unique opportunity to lead by working together."

Arizona's leadership in advanced manufacturing and international trade made Phoenix a natural host for the Forum. According to the 85th Annual Report of the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board to Congress, Arizona ranks ninth nationally in merchandise received and 11th in exports among all U.S. states. The state's Foreign-Trade Zones handled between $25 to $50 billion in goods and employed over 75,000 workers in 2023.

"This Forum brings together the right people, at the right time, to address one of the most important economic opportunities of our generation," Christine Mackay, Director of the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department, said. "Phoenix is already a hub for semiconductor excellence, and by strengthening ties with Mexico we're building a globally competitive region with shared innovation goals."

FTZ 75, located in and around Phoenix, is home to major operators such as TSMC Arizona, Intel, Honeywell, and LG Energy Solution and is the largest in the state, managing over $22 billion in merchandise and supporting 70,000 jobs.

“Semiconductor success is regional by nature and international by necessity," Juan Batres, an Economic Development Program Manager with the City of Phoenix, said. "Through this Forum, we're creating the frameworks, relationships and opportunities that will power future growth across borders."

Batres, who also manages the Phoenix-Hermosillo Trade Office in Mexico, is one of the Forum organizers.

U.S.-Mexico Semiconductor Collaboration Forum Outcomes and Next Steps:
To further strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico, Phoenix hosted this collaboration forum on June 23-24, 2025. Held for the first time in the U.S., it highlights Arizona's semiconductor strengths and opportunities for collaboration with Mexico. Forum organizers plan to reconvene in 2026 with progress updates, making this an enduring platform for strategic cooperation between Arizona and Mexico in the high-tech sector. To learn more about the Forum, visit bciu.org.

Media Contact:
Athena Sanchez, Communications Manager
City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department
Call/text: 602-621-0507
Athena.Sanchez@phoenix.gov