Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations

19/10/2026

Did you know there are currently 1,200+ foreign companies from 45 countries operating right here in Arizona? As our state continues to emerge as a powerhouse for international business and trade, PCFR is proud to foster the cross-cultural connections and dialogue driving this remarkable growth. Here's to building a more globally connected Arizona!

16/10/2026

PCFR is headed to Washington D.C.!

On November 18, we will host a special reception bringing together members of the diplomatic community, Arizona's congressional delegation, and leading figures from business and industry at the Arizona State University Barbara Barrett and Sandra Day O’Connor Washington Center.

Arizona is emerging as an increasingly important player in the global economy and a critical hub for the technologies and industries of the future. Join us for an evening celebrating Arizona's growing global significance and exploring opportunities to deepen international engagement with the state.

The reception will offer ample opportunity for informal conversation and networking, alongside brief remarks from members of Arizona's congressional delegation and other representatives in Washington, to be announced shortly.

PCFR members interested in attending are invited to email [email protected] for details. Learn more about the event: https://app.glueup.com/event/arizona-diplomatic-reception-in-washington-d-c-public-198371.

Thank you to our event partners: Center For Law and Global Affairs at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and The University of Arizona.

16/10/2026

Save the date for PCFR’s 6th Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 11 at the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library!

Join the PCFR Board of Directors and fellow members for a festive evening filled with music, delicious food, raffles, and, most importantly, great company!

As part of the festivities, we will also present our annual PCFR Awards, with this year's recipients to be announced closer to the event.

This is a member-only celebration, but guests of PCFR members are welcome. We can't wait to celebrate with you! ✨

RSVP: https://app.glueup.com/event/6th-annual-holiday-party-197923

15/10/2026

Last month, PCFR joined the Arizona-Ireland Trade Commission and a group of industry and community leaders for a mission to Dublin designed to advance the cross-border partnership across several areas.

In a new brief, PCFR President & CEO Dr. Lily McElwee shares key takeaways from the visit and explores opportunities to strengthen Arizona-Ireland ties.

Read the brief:

Reflections on PCFR's trip with the Arizona-Ireland Trade Commission and a group of industry and community leaders to Dublin designed to advance the cross-border partnership across several areas.

14/10/2026

Deepen your connection to PCFR by joining the President’s Circle, a new membership level offering expanded access to our programming and Arizona’s global affairs community.

For $750 annually ($62.50 per month), the President’s Circle offers 12 months of complimentary admission to all PCFR programs, including signature events such as the International State of the State and the Global Envoy Celebration. With an estimated $1,500 value in event access alone, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the full breadth of PCFR programming while building meaningful connections across Arizona’s global affairs community.

President’s Circle membership includes:

➡️ Complimentary entrance to all PCFR events
➡️ A personalized name badge securely kept by PCFR and available at all events
➡️ Select invitations to private receptions and programs with elected officials and visiting international dignitaries
➡️ Name recognition on the PCFR website as a President’s Circle member
➡️ An annual appreciation dinner with PCFR staff and board members

Apply here: pcfraz.org/individual-membership

12/10/2026

On October 7, PCFR welcomed His Excellency Khazar Ibrahim, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the U.S., for an exclusive breakfast conversation exploring Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, regional security, energy economy, and evolving relationship with the United States.

The conversation offered a window into the strategic importance of Azerbaijan, a country of roughly 10 million people situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the opportunities and challenges shaping its future.

Read the recap on our blog here: pcfraz.org/post/event-recap-a-conversation-with-azerbaijan-s-ambassador-to-the-united-states

View photos here: flickr.com/photos/pcfr/albums/72177720336044115/
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09/10/2026

09/10/2026

On October 2, PCFR brought together UK Consul General Paul Rennie and leaders from Arizona’s sports community at Mountain America Stadium for More Than a Game: Sports and the Transatlantic Relationship. The conversation examined the globalization of American sports, the growing importance of the UK and Europe as markets, and the ways athletics can strengthen economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties across the Atlantic.

Panelists:
Paul Rennie, OBE, British Consul General in Los Angeles
Jen Barnett, Arizona Sports & Events Alliance
Dan Costello, Player 15 Group (Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury)
Lisa Young, Sun Devil Athletics
Andrés Martinez, ASU Great Game Lab, Moderator

For those who joined us, thank you for being part of the conversation. Take a look at photos from the event here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcfr/albums/72177720336029896.

If you weren’t able to attend, we’ve captured some of the key takeaways below and hope you'll join us for more sports diplomacy programming to come.

1) The biggest growth opportunities in sports are increasingly global.
As global audiences grow and emerging markets become more commercially valuable, teams and leagues are looking beyond U.S. borders for new fans, partners, and investment. American sports are already expanding their international presence, and Arizona is part of that story.

2) Going global takes time.
International expansion is about much more than playing a game overseas. Teams may spend years building relationships with local partners, sponsors, media, political leaders, and communities before establishing a presence in a new market. The game is the visible result of a much longer process.

3) Athletics can help universities reach new audiences.
For universities like ASU, sports can support much broader institutional goals, from recruiting international students to building academic and research relationships. Athletics can help take Arizona to the world while also bringing the world to Arizona.

4) Competition for major sporting events is tough, but Arizona has real advantages.
Arizona’s weather, venues, tourism destinations, and ability to coordinate across cities, public safety agencies, tourism organizations, and the private sector give the state a strong foundation. As competition for major events intensifies, the opportunity is to build on those strengths and ensure Arizona has the tools to keep competing.

Read the full recap at https://www.pcfraz.org/post/event-recap-more-than-a-game-sports-and-the-transatlantic-relationship

08/10/2026

Interested in global affairs? There’s still time to apply for PCFR’s Fellowship and Internship programs, but the deadline is tomorrow, October 9, at midnight!

As past PCFR Fellow Alison Anthony reflected on her experience, the program offered a front-row seat to how global events shape local conversations and showed her that “foreign policy is never really foreign.”

Learn more and apply at pcfraz.org/students.