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On June 11, 2026, the world's leading semiconductor industry associations concluded the 30th anniversary meeting of the World Semiconductor Council (WSC), held June 8-12 in Geneva, Switzerland, and hosted by the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA).
The meeting brought together leaders from industry associations across the six major semiconductor regions in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to discuss issues of global importance to the semiconductor ecosystem, including open trade, intellectual property protection, sustainability, workforce development, resilient supply chains, and innovation-driven growth. The WSC continues its longstanding mission to promote international cooperation and policies that support fair competition, technological advancement, and the healthy long-term growth of the semiconductor industry.
This year's meeting marked the 30th anniversary of the WSC, which since its founding in 1996 has served as the premier global forum for semiconductor industry collaboration. Participants reflected on three decades of successful international engagement that helped foster innovation, expand digital connectivity, and support economic growth worldwide. Looking ahead, WSC members outlined a forward-looking agenda to shape conditions for the next generation of semiconductor innovation and sustainable industry growth.
"Thirty years ago we gathered in Hawaii -- on the 50th anniversary of the invention of the transistor -- for the very first meeting of the Council. The values that our predecessors stood for have not changed: to facilitate the healthy growth of the industry," said ESIA President and Executive Vice President and Board Member Mobility Electronics at Bosch Erik Rein, chair of the host delegation. "We are supporting a world where competition doesn't equate to confrontation. We all thrive under the right economic conditions and do so together. This is why we call upon decisionmakers to create a favourable framework for companies to innovate and grow. The next thirty years will show even more innovations; having the right framework and speed is essential to succeed."
The WSC reaffirmed its commitment to policies and regulatory frameworks that fuel innovation, promote open and competitive markets, strengthen intellectual property protection, and avoid unnecessary market distortions and disruptions to trade. The Council also reiterated the importance of maintaining resilient global semiconductor supply chains and enabling continued investment in research, manufacturing, and workforce development.
WSC participants welcomed a keynote address by World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who highlighted the importance of open trade, transparent rules-based markets, and international cooperation in sustaining innovation and economic growth. The WSC reiterated its longstanding support for WTO principles and open global markets for semiconductor products and related technologies, as well as the need to reinstate the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions and make it permanent.
The WSC also continued its longstanding environmental initiatives, including voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with semiconductor manufacturing and to advance sustainability best practices throughout the industry.
The Council reviewed current semiconductor market trends and discussed the industry's continued role in enabling artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, automotive electrification, communications technologies, and energy-efficient digital infrastructure. WSC members noted the growing strategic importance of semiconductors in supporting global decarbonisation efforts and enabling carbon emissions reductions across multiple sectors of the economy.
During the week, WSC delegates met with senior officials from key international organisations headquartered in Geneva, including discussions with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regarding the importance of robust global intellectual property protection frameworks to sustain semiconductor innovation.
The Council also discussed the growing importance of workforce development and STEM education initiatives to address the increasing global demand for highly skilled semiconductor talent. WSC members called for stronger collaboration among governments, academia, and industry to expand semiconductor education, training, and international talent mobility.
The WSC concluded the meeting by reaffirming its commitment to international cooperation and constructive engagement with governments and stakeholders worldwide to ensure continued innovation, economic growth, and technological progress across the global semiconductor ecosystem.
