Arizona State University (ASU), in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, will host the inaugural ITSI Government Leaders Forum (GLF) from November 18-20, 2024. This 3-day event, a key part of the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Project funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, brings together government leaders from Costa Rica, Vietnam, and the Philippines—the first three of six ITSI partner countries—to advance national semiconductor strategies and connect with the U.S. semiconductor industry in Arizona.
The ITSI Project aims to strengthen global semiconductor supply chains through strategic policy recommendations and to bolster workforce development. As part of this effort, the GLF provides a platform for leaders to collaborate on aligning their national strategies with global semiconductor priorities. The forum also sets the stage for Costa Rica, Vietnam, and the Philippines to establish actionable steps for fostering semiconductor innovation, resilience, and workforce expansion within their respective countries.
Industry leaders from major semiconductor companies—including SIA, TSMC, Intel, Amkor, and Microchip—will participate, offering insights and exploring partnerships with government representatives to advance workforce development, supply chain resilience, and cross-border innovation. This forum presents a unique opportunity for international delegates and industry stakeholders to collaborate on shaping a secure, diversified semiconductor network.
Jeffrey Goss, Principal Investigator of the ITSI Program at ASU, noted, “The Global Leaders Forum is a pivotal moment for our partner nations to solidify their roles in the semiconductor ecosystem. By strengthening workforce capabilities and fostering cross-border collaboration, we are helping to build a resilient and secure semiconductor supply chain that benefits not only individual countries but the global industry at large. At ASU, we are proud to support this transformative effort.”
The GLF agenda includes sessions designed to foster international collaboration, align national and global strategies, and unlock new investment opportunities. One key panel, Key Outcomes and Actions from ITSI Country Kick-off Events, will focus on the results and next steps following the ITSI Workforce Accelerator program’s recent launch in Costa Rica, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Through this program, each country has set ambitious targets to expand its semiconductor workforce and build critical technical skills.
In Costa Rica, the initiative aims to empower over 9,000 participants through faculty certification, specialized courses, and hands-on workshops, preparing a new generation of semiconductor professionals. Vietnam and the Philippines will achieve similar impacts, each engaging more than 16,000 participants through targeted training programs designed to build a robust talent pipeline. These efforts reflect ITSI’s commitment to cultivating skilled local workforces, strengthening local ATP (assembly, testing, and packaging) capabilities, and positioning each nation as an essential link in the global semiconductor supply chain.
The event will culminate in a Shared Vision Session, where leaders of the participants countries will define actionable next steps for advancing their semiconductor sectors and enhancing their contributions to the global supply chain.