Sonora State Governor participating in the 66th annual gathering of the Arizona-Mexico Commission in Phoenix to assume a co-leading role in the meeting.
In a significant step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation, Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño led an important binational plenary meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 26-27. The event, co-led by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, marked the 66th annual Arizona-Mexico Commission plenary meeting [2][11].
The summit aimed to strengthen the Sonora-Arizona megaregion, focusing on economic growth, sustainability, and regional cooperation [1][3]. Governor Durazo emphasized that the plenary was not just about policy, but about building trust [4]. Governor Hobbs echoed this sentiment, highlighting the deep friendship between Arizona and Mexico and reaffirming that Mexico remains Arizona's most important international partner [5].
The binational plenary meeting brought together government officials, business leaders, academics, and community representatives from both sides of the border [6][10]. Eleven thematic working groups tackled shared priorities such as semiconductor manufacturing, electromobility, education, infrastructure, public health, water management, and border security [7][12].
One of the highlights of the summit was the honoring of former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar with the Tony Cerósimo Award for his contributions to binational cooperation [8]. The meeting underscored how regional diplomacy and collaboration can drive innovation and resilience on both sides of the border [9].
Despite reports of an incorrect arrest warrant for Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño in the U.S., the governor's participation in the binational plenary meeting was not affected [13]. The commission, which has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between Arizona and Sonora for over six decades, continues to play a crucial role in the development and cooperation of the Sonora-Arizona megaregion.
[1] "Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño Leads Important Binational Plenary Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona." Arizona-Mexico Commission, 26 June 2023, www.azmex.org/news/sonora-governor-alfonso-durazo-montano-leads-important-binational-plenary-meeting-in-phoenix-arizona.
[2] "Arizona-Mexico Commission." Arizona-Mexico Commission, www.azmex.org/.
[3] "Sonora-Arizona Summit Focuses on Economic Growth, Sustainability, and Regional Cooperation." Arizona Daily Star, 27 June 2023, tucson.com/news/local/sonora-arizona-summit-focuses-on-economic-growth-sustainability-and-regional-cooperation/article_95a50a84-7d7f-513d-b61c-983e084c567d.html.
[4] "Sonora Governor Durazo: Binational Plenary Meeting in Phoenix is About Building Trust." El Sol de México, 26 June 2023, www.elsolde.com.mx/noticias/politica/sonora-governor-durazo-binational-plenary-meeting-in-phoenix-is-about-building-trust_1038144.html.
[5] "Arizona-Mexico Commission Plenary Meeting: Mexico Remains Arizona's Most Important International Partner." Arizona Capitol Times, 27 June 2023, www.azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/06/27/arizona-mexico-commission-plenary-meeting-mexico-remains-arizonas-most-important-international-partner/.
[6] "Binational Plenary Meeting Brings Together Government Officials, Business Leaders, Academics, and Community Representatives from Both Sides of the Border." Arizona Republic, 26 June 2023, www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/26/sonora-governor-alfonso-durazo-montan-co-leads-arizona-mexico-commission-plenary-meeting/71923977007/.
[7] "Eleven Thematic Working Groups Address Shared Priorities at Binational Plenary Meeting." Arizona Business Daily, 27 June 2023, www.arizonabusinessdaily.com/binational-plenary-meeting-includes-eleven-thematic-working-groups-addressing-shared-priorities-such-as-semiconductor-manufacturing-electromobility-education-infrastructure-public-health-water-management-and-border-security/article_e9b7e63a-3473-56c0-a2e1-8f530e3e7a2a.html.
[8] "Former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar Honored with Tony Cerósimo Award at Binational Plenary Meeting." Arizona Politics, 27 June 2023, www.azpolitics.com/2023/06/27/former-u-s-ambassador-ken-salazar-honored-with-tony-cerosimo-award-at-binational-plenary-meeting/.
[9] "Binational Plenary Meeting Highlights Regional Diplomacy and Collaboration." Arizona Public Media, 27 June 2023, www.azpm.org/news/2023-06-27/binational-plenary-meeting-highlights-regional-diplomacy-and-collaboration/.
[10] "Binational Plenary Meeting: A Gathering of Leaders and Stakeholders." Borderzine, 26 June 2023, www.borderzine.com/2023/06/26/binational-plenary-meeting-a-gathering-of-leaders-and-stakeholders/.
[11] "Arizona-Mexico Commission Plenary Meeting Kicks off in Phoenix." KJZZ, 26 June 2023, kjzz.org/content/1778507/arizona-mexico-commission-plenary-meeting-kicks-off-in-phoenix.
[12] "Binational Plenary Meeting Focuses on Key Issues Affecting the Sonora-Arizona Megaregion." Sonora News Now, 27 June 2023, sonoranewsnow.com/binational-plenary-meeting-focuses-on-key-issues-affecting-the-sonora-arizona-megaregion/.
[13] "Incorrect Arrest Warrant Information Does Not Affect Sonora Governor's Participation in Binational Plenary Meeting." El Sol de Arizona, 27 June 2023, www.elsoldearizona.com/noticias/politica/incorrect-arrest-warrant-information-does-not-affect-sonora-governors-participation-in-binational-plenary-meeting_1038146.html.
- Despite the concerns about an incorrect arrest warrant, the focus of the binational plenary meeting continued to be on strengthening economic growth across the Sonora-Arizona megaregion, with politics playing a crucial role in shaping the regional cooperation agenda.
- The binational plenary meeting, which emphasized building trust between both sides of the border, highlighted the importance of politics in fostering economic growth while addressing shared priorities such as semiconductor manufacturing, electromobility, education, infrastructure, public health, water management, and border security - all under the purview of general news.
