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REDACCIÓN
THE BAJA POST
The Tijuana Campus of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) is hosting the National Coordinators Meeting of the Border 2025 Program, which will take place on September 10 and 11. This event brings together specialists and government representatives from Mexico and the United States to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of environmental cooperation in the border region.
At the opening ceremony, UABC Dean, Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maestre, said that it is an honor for the university to host this binational meeting under the theme «Lessons on Collaborations: Addressing Existing and Future Environmental Challenges in the Mexico-United States Border,» celebrating 40 years of achievements in the Mexico-U.S. Environmental Border Program, under the 1983 La Paz Agreement.
Baja California Autonomous University (UABC) hosted the National Coordinators Meeting of the Border 2025 Program.
The event will highlight the accomplishments of the goals and guiding principles of the Border 2025 Program and discuss the existing environmental and public health challenges along the border and ways to address them in the upcoming binational «Border» program.
He emphasized the work of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (Semarnat) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and congratulated them «for implementing actions that have produced concrete results for the well-being of citizens and environmental protection in the world’s most dynamic border.»
Palafox Maestre also stressed UABC’s commitment to social responsibility and its work in identifying and solving environmental problems in Baja California, which has led the institution to develop strategies in this area and include them in the 2023-2027 Institutional Development Plan. These will be implemented through the Environmental Management Projects Coordination.
“This central UABC administrative unit is responsible for overseeing the environmental best practices across the university’s three campuses related to energy management, water, waste, green spaces, biodiversity conservation, sustainable mobility, and climate change,” explained the Dean.
He also mentioned other actions undertaken by the university, such as the creation of the Network of Experts for University Sustainability (RESU) and the Institutional Healthy University Program (PIUS), aimed at promoting sustainability and well-being in the university community.
The Dean also referenced his participation in the 5th Universia International Deans’ Meeting, where he signed the Valencia Declaration, committing to address social, environmental, and economic challenges impacting global well-being.
Despite limited resources, UABC has decided to increase its budget to tackle environmental challenges and continue participating in research projects, such as the conservation of emblematic species like the Totoaba macdonaldi and the bighorn sheep.
On the first day of the event, participants reviewed the achievements of the Border 2025 Program, which has aimed to improve air quality, water and solid waste management, and emergency response in the region. Activities included meetings with collaborators and indigenous representatives, as well as a session involving the heads of the national coordinations from both countries, where achieved goals and priorities for the coming years were discussed.
The day also included the commemoration of 40 years of the Mexico-United States Environmental Border Programs, with a presentation by Dr. Paul Ganster, diDean of the Institute for Regional Studies of California, who offered an overview of the impact of the 1983 La Paz Agreement on the region’s environmental context.
There was also a panel of experts showcasing advances in key areas, including air quality, water, solid waste, and emergency response, all critical aspects of the Border 2025 Program.
Tomorrow, September 11, will focus on analyzing the ongoing environmental and public health challenges in the border region and the expectations of the upcoming binational program.
Success stories of community collaboration will be highlighted, with participation from non-governmental organizations, indigenous communities, tribes, and the private sector, who will share their experiences on the achievements in the program’s various goals.
The event will conclude with a roundtable discussion addressing emerging environmental issues and proposing solutions for tackling them in the new cycle of cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
The National Coordinators Meeting of the Border 2025 Program marks a crucial moment for strengthening binational cooperation between Mexico and the United States on environmental matters.
With an agenda that promotes dialogue, experience exchange, and joint planning, participants will be able to lay the foundation for a more sustainable and healthier future in the border region, reinforcing the commitment of both countries to environmental protection and improving the quality of life for border communities.
