Convocation 5.0 Policy Brief: Advancing North American Cooperation and Regional Integration

March 2026

Nayab Ali

This policy brief emerges from Convocation 5.0, a high-level trilateral dialogue convened in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and hosted by the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue. The convening brought together former ambassadors from the United States, Mexico, and Canada, alongside policymakers, scholars, and practitioners from across sectors, to examine the future of North American cooperation.

The discussions explored the region's most pressing challenges and opportunities across security, migration, trade, energy, innovation, supply chain resilience, and the evolving geopolitical role of North America. Against the backdrop of increasing global competition and economic uncertainty, participants emphasized the depth of integration across the three countries—reflected in shared supply chains, cross-border labor mobility, and longstanding diplomatic and commercial ties—while also identifying persistent gaps in policy coordination.

This policy brief synthesizes those conversations and presents key insights and recommendations that emerged from the dialogue. It outlines pathways to strengthen trilateral coordination, enhance North American competitiveness, and deepen institutional collaboration in support of a more secure, resilient, and integrated regional future.

Key findings

Over the course of a two-day gathering, these distinguished former diplomats participate in high-level discussions addressing some of the most pressing issues on the regional agenda, including:

The strategic alignment of North American economies is essential for boosting global competitiveness and regional resilience.
The development of a binational workforce, one that not only meets market demands but also fosters social inclusion and mobility.
Public security and cross-border cooperation, particularly in the face of shared challenges like migration, organized crime, and governance.
The role of culture, educational exchange, and soft power as vital tools for building trust, mutual understanding, and regional cohesion.

Convocation is more than a dialogue—it is a platform for action. Its primary goal is to generate concrete ideas and actionable recommendations informed by the deep diplomatic experience of its participants. These insights are then shared with key stakeholders across government, business, and academia, with the aim of shaping forward-looking strategies for the trilateral relationship.

At a time when North America faces both shared challenges and unprecedented opportunities, Convocation seeks to be a catalyst for renewed collaboration, reaffirming the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and resilient region.