REPORT | October - December 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) Otay II Border Crossing MoU (10.24.22) Learn more
Institutional context - In June 2021, Mexico and the United States agreed, through a Memorandum of Understanding, on opening a new gate in the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry that would require a toll fee. Otay Mesa East, also known as the Otay II Project, is meant to help reduce wait times at existing border crossings and is projected to provide an economic boost.
Otay II Border Crossing MoU - The signing ceremony of the Collection and Income Distribution Agreement of the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry was held in Mexico City, on October 24th. This ceremony is a follow-up on the MoU signed in June, that established the intention to collaborate in the implementation of a strategy for the administration of traffic congestion and revenue collection.
2) U.S. - Mexico 2022 Consular Dialogue (10.28.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The U.S. - Mexico Consular Dialogue was established in 2013 to strengthen cooperation in the area of consular assistance and protection. Since 2014, staff from the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has been assigned to the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry’s General Directorate for Consular Protection and Strategic Planning, as a part of the actions to deepen the quality of care and consular diplomatic capacities.
U.S. - Mexico 2022 Consular Dialogue - On October 28th, the 10th edition of the U.S. - Mexico Consular Dialogue was held in Washington D.C. Through this dialogue mechanism, binational authorities exchange good practices, identify areas of collaboration, address shared challenges, and exchange information on issues of mutual interest.
3) U.S. Deputy Secretary of State visit to Mexico (11.09.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States is the principal deputy to the Secretary of State. The current Deputy Secretary of State is Wendy Sherman, serving since April 2021 under Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State visit to Mexico - On November 9th, Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, received the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and the U.S. delegation in Mexico. During this meeting, officials highlighted the importance of the North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS) to be celebrated in Mexico on January 10th, next year. It was also discussed that the main themes for the upcoming Summit will be the economy, competitiveness, relocation of investments in information and communication technologies, and security.
4) Third Meeting of the United States - Mexico Binational Relationship Observatory (11.12.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The United States - Mexico Binational Relationship Observatory was created in 2020 by the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico’s (UNAM) Faculty of Political and Social Sciences. It focuses on redefining the relationship between the two countries, through the study of the binational relationship.
Third Meeting of the United States - Mexico Binational Relationship Observatory - The Third Meeting of the United States - Mexico Binational Relationship Observatory took place on November 12th, in a virtual modality. During the event, university students and the general public presented their works and research related to the binational field so that they can later be published in a special issue of the Observatorium magazine.
5) MoU between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UC San Diego (11.24.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The United States Congress enacted Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in light of concerns about the growing financial relationship between U.S. universities and foreign sources.
MoU between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UC San Diego - The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on academic and professional cooperation took place on November 24th, between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of California (UC) at San Diego. Through this MoU, a collaboration framework was established to implement mutually beneficial activities, such as the exchange of students, staff, teachers and researchers, as well as the integration of research projects and joint publications, internships and visits.
6) 2023 Action Plan for the 21st Century Border Management Initiative (12.01.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The 21st Century Border Management Initiative is a bilateral cooperation mechanism, whose goal is to improve border security and promote the economic competitiveness of the North American region. The Bilateral Executive Steering Committee (ESC) has generally held annual plenary meetings since the mechanism was launched in 2010.
2023 Action Plan for the 21st Century Border Management Initiative - Within the framework of the XIV Meeting of the Bilateral Executive Committee for Border Administration in the 21st Century, high-level representatives of the Mexican and American Government met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico, on December 1st. They met in order to strengthen bilateral collaboration on priority issues on their common border.
7) Declaration of Friendship for the 200 years of U.S. - MX diplomatic relationships (12.12.22) Learn more
Institutional context - Mexico and the United States began their diplomatic relationship on December 12th, 1822. The Mexico-United States bilateral agenda includes issues in the political, economic, commercial, social, environmental, energy, technical, border and security fields. Bilateral relationships between both nations are multifaceted, complex and comprehensive.
Declaration of Friendship for the 200 years of U.S. - MX diplomatic relationships - On December 12th, 2022, Mexico and the United States celebrated 200 years of diplomatic relationships. In honor of this celebration, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, and Special Presidential Adviser for the Americas, Chris Dodd, led a ceremony to commemorate the Bicentennial.
8) Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs visit to D.C. (12.16.22) Learn more
Institutional context - The North American Leaders' Summit (NALS) is the trilateral summit between the Prime Minister of Canada, the President of Mexico, and the President of the United States. The summits were initially held as part of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), a continent-level dialogue between the three countries established in 2005, and continued after SPP became inactive in 2009.
Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs visit to D.C. - Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, visited Washington D.C. on December 16th. He met with his American counterpart, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. One of the main topics of the meeting was the preparation for President Joseph Biden's next visit to Mexico, as well as the North American Leaders Summit, to be held in January, in Mexico.
