The Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC), is a public/private, membership-driven, 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that formulates programs and action items impacting the relationship between Arizona, Mexico, and Latin America.[1]
Chaired by the Governor of Arizona, the AMC has the mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the citizens of Arizona by promoting a strong, cooperative relationship with Mexico and Latin America through advocacy, trade, networking and information. The AMC headquarters office is maintained within the Arizona State Capitol building in Phoenix, Arizona.
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The Arizona-Mexico Commission can trace its roots back to March 1959 when, at the University of Arizona's first Arizona-Sonora International Conference on Regional Development, Governor Paul J. Fannin together with his Sonoran counterpart, Alvaro Obregon Tapia, created the Arizona-Mexico West Coast Trade Commission.
Over the ensuing decade, the community leaders that were comprised by the Arizona-Mexico West Coast Trade Commission worked to increase social and commercial interaction. Their efforts resulted in a January 1972 announcement by Arizona Governor Jack Williams to form the Arizona-Mexico Commission, thereby establishing a mechanism that promotes greater private sector involvement in the Arizona-Mexico relationship. With the restructuring came six bilateral committees: Trade, Tourism, Banking and Finances, Health, Agriculture, and Livestock.
Two years later, in July 1974, in Guaymas, Sonora, these committees met formally at the first Plenary Session between the AMC and its sister organization, the Commission Sonora-Arizona (CSA). This event was a great success, leading to nearly three decades of uninterrupted AMC-CSA Plenary Sessions.
Today, the AMC continues to be regarded as an international model for cross-border relations. After having incubated numerous projects and initiatives that promote bilateral economic and social development, the AMC's vision of improving quality of life in the region continues to drive efforts by leadership. The AMC promotes a strong, cooperative relationship with Mexico; the facilitation of movement of goods, services, people and information through Mexico and Latin America; and encourages security and sustainable development within border communities.
Chaired by the Governor of Arizona, the AMC is governed by an Executive Committee of five members, a Board of Directors consisting of about fifteen directors, and membership of about six hundred governmental and private sector organizations.
Upon creating the AMC in March 1959, Governor Fannin made the following famous statement regarding the relationship between Arizona and Sonora, Mexico: "God made us neighbors, let us be good neighbors."
To improve the economic well-being and quality of life for residents of Arizona by promoting a strong, cooperative relationship with Mexico and Latin America through advocacy, trade, networking and information.
To be a globally recognized public/private champion for improving the quality of life in Arizona through our relationships with Mexico and Latin America.