Binational Rio Grande Summit

Some 200 stakeholders from throughout the Rio Grande Basin gathered in Reynosa, Tamaulipas-McAllen, Texas on November 17-18, 2005 for the Binational Rio Grande Summit sponsored by the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (IBWC). The objective of the Summit was to convene experts and water users from the basin to develop recommendations for consideration by the Governments of the United States and Mexico related to sustainable management of the basin. Participants included representatives from local, state, and federal government, academics, environmental organizations, municipal water utilities, farmers, and irrigation districts from both countries.

The recommendations, which resulted from two days of presentations and discussion, are focused on four broad conference themes: Legal and Institutional Aspects, Binational Basin Management, Environment and Water Quality, and Finance. The recommendations included such things as conducting binational information sharing, supporting and funding water infrastructure projects, and developing incentives to promote water conservation.

"The response from our stakeholders was tremendous," said Acting United States Commissioner Carlos Marin of the IBWC. "I appreciate their hard work to present information about the challenges and needs in the basin and to work cooperatively to develop recommendations for the Commission to consider."

Mexican Commissioner Arturo Herrera said, "The large number of people who attended the summit is a sign of the enormous interest that exists in the preservation of the basin. The IBWC has received with great interest the recommendations that were presented and will evaluate them to define a work plan during the coming year."

The IBWC is proud to make available to the public all of the presentations from the event below. See the Background Document.