XXVI Border Governors Conference

Universal Studios Hollywood | August 13-15, 2008

Participants United States of America • Arizona• California • New Mexico • Texas

Mexico • Baja California• Chihuahua • Coahuila • Nuevo Leon (Host of XXVII Conference, 2009)• Sonora • Tamaulipas

Official Worktables Agriculture & Livestock Border Security Logistical & International Crossings Economic Development Education Emergency & Civil Protection (Sub-Committee)

Energy Environment Health Science & Technology Tourism Water Wildlife

Conference Highlights •Forum: A Conversation on Building Green Economies with Nobel Laureates and Leaders• Explored the cultural, historical, social and

economic factors that drive the creation of green economies and how these new economies are transforming every aspect of our lives.

•Forum: Human Trafficking… A Unified Call to Action • Helped to develop solutions to combat human

trafficking across the border. •Forum: Innovative Water & Energy Strategies to Manage the Border Region’s Resources • Highlighted the urgency of utilizing emerging

technologies to address the shortages of clean, renewable energy and safe, plentiful water.

Conference Highlights (Continued)

•Forum: Driving the Border States’ Agenda through the use of Technology-Enabled Mass Collaboration • Explored new opportunities for partnership, collaboration and progress between the Border States as new technologies emerge.

Conference Highlights (Continued)

•Green Technology Expo• Clean-tech companies from both sides of the border displayed their products at the BGC’s first ever Green Technology Expo, which was a unique opportunity to Showcase the expansive products and resources available in the border region’s green market.

Conference Highlights (Continued)

•Forum: Joint US-Mexico Roundtable DiscussionThe 10 Border Governors held a roundtable with federal officials from the U.S. and Mexico to follow up on recent visits made to the national capitals. They included: • U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff• U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Dirk

Kempthorne• Mexican Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mourino • Mexican Environment and Natural Resources

Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira

Conference Highlights (Continued)

•Forum: Joint US-Mexico Roundtable Discussion (Continued)

The roundtable provided an opportunity for the federal secretaries to highlight progress made on issues discussed during previous delegation visits, including:

Border infrastructure and security, environmental issues, water management,

Economic development and emergency response and disaster preparedness.

Accomplishments (Highlights)

• Historic MOU signed between California, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the 6 Mexican Border States concerning the inclusion of eligible projects from the Mexican Border states in PG&E’s Climate Smart Program.• U.S.- Mexico Tire Initiative signed by the U.S. & Mexican Border States regarding the appropriate and sustainable management of scrap tires along the US-Mexico border.

Accomplishments (Highlights) • Historic US-California Joint Declaration establishing a strong partnership as it relates to emergency preparedness and response. Additionally, cross-border efforts on civil protection collaboration were also strengthened. • An MOU signed by US and Mexican officials through the work of the Security Worktable related to improved cross-border security improvement initiatives.

Joint Declaration

Joint Declaration Document Available Online:

www.bordergovernors.ca.gov ________________________________________________

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XXVII Border Governor’s Conference Nuevo Leon, Mexico | 2009

For More Information

www.bordergovernors.ca.gov