REPORT | June - October 2022
The Center for Binational Institutions is devoted to promoting a better understanding of the bilateral institutions between Mexico and the United States. Our newsletter presents the relevant events between US-MEXICO bilateral institutions.
1) Canada, Mexico and USA Ministers of Foreign Affairs Joint Statement (06.10.22) Learn more
Institutional context - Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing all international relations, except for trade issues. Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs is responsible for implementing the country's foreign policy. And the American Secretary of State carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Canada, Mexico and USA Ministers of Foreign Affairs Joint Statement - On June 10th, 2022, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Canada, Mexico and the USA met in Los Angeles. The aftermath of the meeting was a joint statement, where the three countries reaffirmed their commitments to the North American region. The representatives also discussed the planning of the next North American Leaders Summit to be celebrated in December 2022, in Mexico .
2) Youth Building the Future Program in the U.S. (06.10.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Mexican Ministry of Labor and Social Security created the “Youth Building the Future Program” to facilitate the conditions for young people to participate in the economic productive process. The program offers young people space, support, and structured activities to develop or strengthen work habits and technical skills that promote social inclusion and increase their chances of future employability.
Youth Building the Future Program in the U.S. - On June 10th, 2022, Foreign Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, presented the “Building the Future Program” for the Mexican American Community in Los Angeles, California. Through cooperation among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), the Mexican Government aims to implement the program starting in Los Angeles with plans to spread it to other cities.
3) Working Visit by Head of the North America Unit to Miami (06.15.22 - 06.16.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Head for the North America Unit is a public position within the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. The Head is in charge of leading Mexico's foreign policy for the United States and Canada.
Working Visit by Head of the North America Unit to Miami - On June 15th-16th, 2022, the Head of the North America Unit, Roberto Velasco, carried out a working visit to Miami to strengthen the bilateral Mexico - Florida relationship on economic, investment, commercial, environmental and technology issues for the North American region. As part of the visit, the Mexico - Florida Commercial Mission 2022 was announced.
4) Sectur and Miami: Tourism Boost (06.22.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Mexican Tourism Secretariat (SECTUR) is the agency responsible for planning, promoting and furthering tourism development in Mexico, as well as taking care of the optimal and rational use and preservation of natural and cultural resources.
Sectur and Miami: Tourism Boost - On June 22nd, 2022, Tourism Secretary, Miguel Torruco, and Mexican Consul General in Miami, Jonathan Chait, promoted actions to further tourism between Mexico and Miami, Florida. The Mexican representatives presented Miami and Florida business and tourism leaders with products developed to diversify tourism activities, such as gastronomic routes, rural tourism, among many others.
5) Trilateral Meeting: Regional Commitments (06.24.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In 1994, Former U.S. President Clinton convened the 1st Summit of the Americas with the goal of promoting economic growth and prosperity throughout the Americas, based on shared democratic values and the promise of increased trade and commerce to improve the quality of life for all people and preserve the hemisphere’s natural resources for future generations.
Trilateral Meeting: Regional Commitments - On June 24th, 2022, the Sherpas, technical coordinators and pillar managers from Mexico, met with American and Canadian representatives for a dialogue on issues relevant to the North American region. During this meeting, representatives from the three nations reviewed the agreements established at the IX Summit of Leaders of North America, in Washington D.C. During the meeting, each representative responsible for a pillar provided an overview of the central issues for the region.
6) Mexico - U.S. Labor Mobility Dialogue (06.24.22) Learn more
Institutional context - There are two types of visas that apply to labor mobility: H-2A and H-2B . The first category has no limits and depends on alliances with the private sector. The second category is limited by Congress, according to the Immigration Reform and Control Law, and allows the issue of 66,000 visas per year.
Mexico - U.S. Labor Mobility Dialogue - The bilateral group on Migration, Labor Mobility and Development met on June 24th, 2020. Authorities from both nations discussed next steps to expand the figures of the H-2A and H-2B visas that the U.S. grants to workers in Mexico (agricultural sector) and Central America (other types of industries such as construction and services, among others). In addition, Mexico and the United States explore policies to strengthen the labor rights of Mexican people, as well as for the protection of minors in mobility situations.
7) First Year of the AMEXCID - USAID MoU (06.30.22) Learn more
Institutional context - Since June 2021, in accordance with an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Mexican and American governments, AMEXCID and USAID have exchanged information, good practices, and have carried out joint missions in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
First Year of the AMEXCID - USAID MoU - June 30th, 2022 was the anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mexico and the United States, through which they agreed to: learn from successful experiences of USAID and AMEXCID; coordinate efforts to promote well-being in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala; and address the root causes of irregular migration.
8) Binational Working Group for the Protection of Minors in Mobility Situations (07.22.22)
Institutional context - The National Institute of Migration (INM) is a decentralized administrative body of the Mexican Federal Public Administration, dependent on the Ministry of the Interior, which applies current immigration legislation. The INM, in compliance with Mexican laws and international treaties, permanently applies various provisions to grant all foreigners the necessary facilities to carry out legal immigration procedures, and ordered safe entry and stay in national territory.
Binational Working Group for the Protection of Minors in Mobility Situations - As a follow-up to the agreements reached in the Declaration on Migration and Protection of the IX Summit of the Americas, on July 22nd, 2022, the Mexican Government held an inter-institutional coordination meeting for the protection of migrant children and teenagers. Authorities explored mechanisms and public policies aimed at strengthening the protection of children and teenagers in mobility situations both in Mexico and in the United States.
9) Transportation Electrification Working Group: Second Stage (08.01.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Transportation Electrification Group is a Mexico - United States binational initiative developed by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Undersecretariat for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, in collaboration with the University of California (Alianza MX). The project was presented on February 8th, 2022 at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The objective of the Groups is to create a Mexico - United States route map that allows transit towards electromobility in the region.
Transportation Electrification Working Group: Second Stage - On August 1st, 2022, the second stage of the Transportation Electrification Group took place in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Relations. This second part of the project is currently carried out in Mexico in a hybrid model, and is focused on issuing recommendations on the obstacles identified in the first stage of analysis. The document will be made up of: a diagnosis on the global and regional transition that details the situation and opportunities for Mexico and the U.S. in this industry, and recommendations from the analysis carried out in the first stage.
10) U.S. - Mexico Cyber Affairs Working Group (08.10.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In October 2021, the United States and Mexico created the Bicentennial Framework for Security. Building on past security cooperation efforts, this Framework establishes a long-term approach for binational actions to pursue the safety and security of both societies. The Framework also encompases topics of ceybercrime and cybersecurity.
U.S. - Mexico Cyber Affairs Working Group - On August 10th, 2022, the Mexico - United States Cyber Affairs Working Group convened its first bilateral cyber dialogue since the establishment of the Bicentennial Understanding for Security, Public Health and Safe Communities. The main objective of the meeting was to advance bilateral cooperation on cyber issues in line with the shared commitment of the two countries to an open, interoperable, safe, reliable and stable internet and cyberspace.
11) Entry Into Force of Act 328 of the IBWC (08.18.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) was established in 1889, and has responsibility for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico and settling differences that may arise in their application. The IBWC is an international body composed of the United States Section and the Mexican Section, each headed by an Engineer-Commissioner appointed by his/her respective president. Each Section is administered independently of the other.
Entry into force of Act 328 of the IBWC - On August 18th, 2022, the Head of the North America Unit, Roberto Velasco, together with the United States Consul General in Tijuana, Thomas E. Reott presented the approval of Act 328 of IBWC: Sanitation Infrastructure Projects in Tijuana, Baja California – San Diego, California, for immediate implementation and for future development. The ceremony took place in California.
12) U.S. Congressional Delegation Visit to Mexico (08.25.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In October 2021, the United States and Mexico created the Bicentennial Framework for Security. Building on past security cooperation efforts, this Framework establishes a long-term approach for binational actions to pursue the safety and security of both societies.
U.S. Congressional Delegation Visit to Mexico - Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, received a delegation of US Democratic congresspeople at the facilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 25th. The visiting delegation presented the progress in the fight against arms trafficking in the U.S., as well as a review of U.S. legislation and regulating of cross-border trafficking of firearms, and related penalties.
13) Meeting Between the Mexican Government and U.S. District Prosecutors (08.26.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In October 2021, the United States and Mexico created the Bicentennial Framework for Security. Building on past security cooperation efforts, this Framework establishes a long-term approach for binational actions to pursue the safety and security of both societies.
Meeting Between the Mexican Government and U.S. District Prosecutors - On August 26th, within the framework of the Bicentennial Understanding on Safety, Public Health and Safe Communities, a meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry between officials of the Mexican government and a delegation of district attorneys from the United States. The goal of the meeting was to talk and share information on the progress made in combating arms trafficking.
14) Second Annual Meeting HLED (09.12.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) between the United States and Mexico is a binational dialogue mechanism created in 2013 by Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto. This mechanism is directed at advancing economic and trade priorities to promote economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness for Mexico and the United States.
Second Annual Meeting HLED - On September 12th, 2022, senior government officials from Mexico and the United States met in Mexico City for the second annual meeting of the HLED. During the meeting, officials reviewed the achievements made and discussed new areas of collaboration. They also discussed collaboration in electromobility, the digital economy, workforce development and resilience of supply chains.
15) Los Angeles Declaration of Migration and Protection at the White House (09.26.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The “Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection” was presented at the Summit of the Americas in June 2022. The Declaration seeks to mobilize the entire region around actions that will transform the approach to managing migration in the Americas. The Declaration is organized around four pillars: stability and assistance for communities; expansion of legal pathways; humane migration management; and coordinated emergency response.
Los Angeles Declaration of Migration and Protection at the White House - In follow-up to the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the White House called a regional meeting on September 26th to follow up on the commitments previously presented by each country. In addition, representatives from each nation discussed a new framework for implementing the Los Angeles Declaration.
16) North Capital Forum (09.28.22-09.30.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The North Capital Forum is a 3-day event that focuses on understanding North America's main challenges, and creating mutually beneficial solutions. The event welcomed 500 participants, and consisted of 24 panels and more than 140 speakers. Key generators of proposals for the region presented their ideas and recommendations to strengthen the North American integration.
North Capital Forum - The Forum took place in Mexico City from September 28th-30th, 2022. During his participation, Secretary Ebrard pointed out that the exchange of ideas between the private sector, think tanks, International organizations, government officials, among other relevant actors, will allow for a consensus to be achieved, so that the proposals from the various panels materialize into public policies and actions.
17) XXIX Binational Meeting of PROBEM (10.05.22-10.07.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Binational Migrant Education Program (PROBEM) aims to strengthen the exchange of academic and cultural experiences between teachers from Mexico and the United States through a strategic and methodological development that betters the teaching-learning process of migrant children and youth.
XXIX Binational Meeting of PROBEM - The XXIX Meeting of the Binational Migrant Education Program (PROBEM) was held at the Mexican Foreign Ministry, from October 5th to 7th. The main objective of the meeting was to establish a dialogue and exchange of experiences between educators from Mexico and the United States to jointly review programs and actions that allow students in both countries to continue their educational trajectory, and insertion in their destination communities.
18) Second Meeting of the U.S. - Mexico High - Level Security Dialogue (10.13.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In October 2021, the United States and Mexico created the Bicentennial Framework for Security. Building on past security cooperation efforts, this Framework establishes a long-term approach for binational actions to pursue the safety and security of both societies.
Second Meeting of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Security Dialogue - On October 13th, 2022, Mexican and American high level officials met to discuss and review implementations of the U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities. Both administrations have taken actions to implement the Framework through: expanding collaboration to reduce substance use disorder and its consequences; building forensic capacity to identify victims of forced disappearance; among many other actions.
