Border Legislative Conference (BLC)

The BLC is a program administered by the Council of State Governments (CSG)-WEST and its regional partner in the South, the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), that serves as a mechanism for on-going dialogue and collaboration among state legislators of the United States and Mexico.

The goal of the project is to empower border state legislators to engage in the binational agenda and provide input and direction in the development of policy between both countries.  The BLC fosters the development of shared solutions along the border region through joint consideration of common problems and exchange of information. 

The BLC serves as the legislative component of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership. 

Border Governors Conference

The Border Governors Conference (BGC) is an annual forum that brings together the governors of the 10 U.S. – Mexico border states, along with other stakeholders of both countries. Considered among the largest binational venues, the BGC provides a platform for policy engagement, collaboration and identification of objectives for the governors’ agenda through the signing of a joint declaration. The chair and vice chair of the BGC alternate between U.S. and Mexico border states, and the chair typically hosts the meeting in their respective state. The BGC policy strategies are developed, evaluated and implemented under the four policy areas of: competitiveness, sustainability, security and quality of life; through the Border Governors Representatives and thirteen work tables comprised by key state officials from each of the border states. The work tables include: Agriculture and Livestock, Border Security, Education, Economic Development, Emergency and Civil Protection, Energy, Environment, Health, Logistics and International Crossings, Science and Technology, Tourism, Water, and Wildlife.

Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG)

CWAG is a bipartisan group comprised of the chief legal officers of 15 western states and three Pacific territories.  CWAG's primary function is to provide a forum for chief legal officers of member states and jurisdictions to cultivate knowledge, cooperate on concerns and coordinate actions which improve the quality of legal services available to members.  CWAG focuses on common areas of interest to the West such as water, fish and wildlife, public lands, minerals, environmental protection and Indian Law.

CWAG administers the attorneys general / law enforcement element of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership, providing a platform of cooperation among state attorneys general of both countries, as well as capacity training for prosecutors and investigators from Mexican states.  CWAG also coordinates with Mexico’s National Conference of Attorneys General, along with individual state attorneys general offices in Mexico. 

The Council of State Governments

CSG is a national organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. CSG’s regional offices include the Council of State Governments – WEST (CSG-WEST), the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), CSG’s Eastern Regional Conference (ERC), and CSG’s Midwestern Regional Office. Moreover, CSG maintains a Washington DC Office.

CSG National and regional offices offer unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.
 

CSG, particularly its Western regional office – CSG-WEST- provides the overall coordination of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership.  

National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)

NAAG helps Attorneys General fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high quality legal services to the states and territorial jurisdictions.  The Association fosters interstate cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, conducts policy research and analysis of issues, conducts training, and facilitates communication between the states’ chief legal officers and all levels of government. 

NAAG is a key partner in the attorney general / law enforcement element of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership, providing support and expertise for the prosecutor and investigator capacity trainings.

National Association of State Treasurers (NAST)

NAST is comprised of all state treasurers, or state finance officials with comparable responsibilities, from the United States, its commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia.  NAST is recognized as a national force whose work has influenced public policy at both the state and federal levels by developing and promoting standards of excellence regarding ethical conduct, policy guidelines and accountability, model legislation and regulations.  NAST’s Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. provides a resource for state treasurers to communicate concerns on pending legislation and regulatory actions by federal agencies.

As part of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership, NAST coordinates binational exchanges and forums among state finance officials of both countries aimed at fostering collaboration and exchange of information and best practices.  Exchange topics include short-term investments, investment pools, debt management and innovative debt issues, access to capital markets, among others.

National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA)

NLGA is the professional association for the elected officials who are first in line of succession to the governors in the 50 states and five territorial jurisdictions (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).  NLGA provides members the opportunity to network, meet, foster interstate cooperation, and share best practices to the benefit of the constituents in the states and territories. NLGA seeks to promote the effectiveness of the Office of Lieutenant Governor and its inhabitants.

As part of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership, NLGA promotes dialogue and cooperation among state and federal officials from both countries focused on peer leadership development, economic development, investment, and trade promotion at the state level. 

The Paso Del Norte Group (PDNG), is a non-profit civic organization founded in 2004 to address the opportunity for the creation of regional economic wealth and prosperity on a strategic basis.  PDNG’s membership is comprised of business and community leaders from the Paso del Norte Region comprised of El Paso, Texas, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and Las Cruces, New Mexico and surrounding communities.   Over the last several years, the PDNG has undertaken several projects related to improving  the conditions for regional development in the areas of educational attainment and income growth associated with sustainable development .

Arizona State University North American Center for Transborder Studies (ASU NACTS)

The mission of ASU NACTS is to advance greater understanding of border and trilateral issues in North America by supporting scholars who contribute to the development of innovative theory and actionable policy analysis regarding these issues. NACTS focuses its research and policy efforts in the areas of borders, competitiveness, and the environment and works to diffuse the results of these efforts through events and initiatives that build public awareness about North America. NACTS accomplishes its mission by building key partnerships among northern and southern border specialists and identifying and educating key constituencies in government, the private sector, and civil society.

NACTS provides policy research to the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership. This includes binational research and policy recommendations on issues of mutual concern such as economic competitiveness, border crossings, security, health and the environment, among others. 
 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The goal of USAID – Mexico Mission is to support bilateral cooperation to resolve challenges that face both the countries. USAID’s programs support Mexican initiatives in justice system reform, competitiveness, and sustainable development so that Mexico can provide its citizens economic opportunities and safe communities.

Joint U.S.-Mexico development activities increase the understanding between our two peoples and open opportunities beyond Mexico’s borders for south-to-south cooperation.

USAID Mexico provides financial support, through a grant to CSG, for the implementation and coordination of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars - Mexico Institute

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars - Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship.  The Institute organizes numerous studies, events, and publications focused on bilateral issues, including the U.S. – Mexico Congressional Initiative. 

As part of the U.S. – Mexico State Alliance Partnership, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars provides a platform for binational cooperation among state and federal officials, including Congressional Committees and agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, White House Intergovernmental Affairs, and others.  Moreover, the Wilson International Center provides broad public policy research on several cross-border issues such as border management, public security, the environment, and other topics.