Highlighting two decades of cross-border achievements, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Annual Binational Delegation. More than 100 prominent business and community leaders from San Diego and Baja California gathered in Mexico City this week to strengthen partnerships and drive regional growth.
Cross-Border Trade, Infrastructure, and Binational Partnership: 20 Years of Results
Throughout the week, the delegation will spotlight key milestones achieved over the last 20 years while establishing current policy priorities. Discussions will focus on cross-border infrastructure, regional water management, migration, and economic growth.
Through Wednesday, October 14, delegates are holding high-level meetings with Mexican government officials and industry leaders to fortify economic ties and expand commercial opportunities.
“The dynamics of the border region depend on strong relationships and a shared determination to solve problems. These relationships build trust, and we must continue developing lasting institutions and mechanisms to maintain that momentum through permanent working groups, measurable goals, shared data, and tighter connections among Tijuana, San Diego, and our national capitals,” said Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. “We must integrate the border perspective earlier into national policy development to strategically build a unified binational region. The border should not mark where our two countries end, but where our shared future begins.”
20 Years of Key Accomplishments
- Modernization and expansion of the San Ysidro and El Chaparral land ports of entry.
- Development and promotion of Cross Border Xpress (CBX)
- Support for the Otay Mesa East project
- Ratification of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
- Securing $144 million in Mexican federal funding to address the wastewater crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
- Critical updates to Mexican infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of key pumping stations and the San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant.
The 100-plus delegate roster features prominent industry executives, organizational heads, and top municipal and state leaders from San Diego and Baja California. High-profile attendees include:
- John Duncan, Mayor of Coronado
- Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego
- Ron Morrison, Mayor of National City
- Kurt Honold, Baja California’s Secretary of Economy and Innovation
- Evelyn Sánchez, State Congresswoman for Baja California
- César Fernández, Deputy Mayor of Chula Vista
- Joe García, Deputy Mayor of Escondido
- Teresa Acosta, Councilmember for Carlsbad
- Carolina Chávez and Michael Inzunza, Councilmembers for Chula Vista
- Mark Fleming, Councilmember for Coronado
- Mariko Nakawatase, Councilmember for Imperial Beach
- Vivian Moreno, Councilmember for San Diego
- Georgina Arana Cruz, Melissa Pacheco, Lemuel Ramírez, and Pablo Yañez, City Councilors of Tijuana
- Isaac Contreras, Councilor of Tecate
- Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego
- Consul General Lance Hegerle, U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana
“Baja California’s participation in this delegation reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthening our regional economic partnership,” said Kurt Honold, Baja California’s Secretary of Economy and Innovation. “Through direct dialogue with federal partners and international collaboration, we can advance key priorities that generate long-term prosperity and opportunity across both communities.”
This meeting aims to deepen cooperation between San Diego and Mexico while championing initiatives that deliver long-term benefits to residents on both sides of the border.
