October 29, 2024
A delegation of more than 120 business and community leaders from San Diego and Baja California – including Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño- traveled to Mexico City to champion economic and political ties between the U.S. and Mexico, and advance regional priorities to make the CaliBaja the best place to live and work. The trip took place October 20 – 23, 2024.
View Binational Delegation to CDMX Photo Album Here
This year, our region had an opportunity to meet with cabinet members and federal officials from the new administration who took office along with President Claudia Sheinbaum just two weeks before our visit. Hearing from new officials about their vision for the next six years and bringing forward our region’s priorities allows our region to continue to advance initiatives, infrastructure, policies and projects that help our business and community thrive.
The trip agenda covered diverse priorities that are critical to CaliBaja’s prosperity, from border efficiency to water management and infrastructure, Mexico’s energy policies, and economic development and trade opportunities through USMCA.
During our water management and infrastructure session, delegates extended our appreciation to the Mexican Federal Government for the near completion of the rehabilitation of the main water treatment plant in Tijuana (San Antonio de los Buenos) which will help significantly reduce transboundary flows impacting the Tijuana River Valley and is expected to be completed by December of this year and reaching full operational capacity in March 2025.
Other conversations covered border efficiency which is vital to integrated supply chains that have become a huge economic engine on both sides of the border and that showcase what the U.S. and Mexico can accomplish as trade partners.
Undersecretary of Trade at the Ministry of Economy, Luis Rosendo Gonzalez, shared with delegates a vision to change from a globalization point of view to shortening supply chains while also promoting incentive programs and facilitatinge permit processing, which has already begun to attract big investment projects.
Delegates also had in-depth conversations about multi-sector and cross-border collaboration to strengthen the tourism industry and attract global visitors, leveraging important international events such as Tianguis Turístico which will take place in Baja for the first time next spring, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Additionally, Roberto Velasco, who was recently ratified as Chief Officer for North America at the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, reassured his commitment to follow up with Mexican Federal agencies on facilitating the energy transition, increase trade under the USMCA revision, continue reducing the introduction of Fentanyl in North America, and advance other Minute 328 projects and further push for technological advancements at our ports of entries.
A pressing issue, and an ongoing priority for the Chambers, continues to be ensuring border efficiency through technology and infrastructure that can facilitate trade and travel across the U.S.-Mexico border. Delegates heard about investments coming to our region such as nonintrusive high technology to support border technology and improve our border’s efficiency in the Mexican side. SANDAG CEO Mario Orso also addressed the next steps in the construction of Otay II, which the Chamber continues to advocate and support resources for, including the need for intelligent transportation systems (in progress).
Delegates were hosted by the Senate’s Commission of Foreign Affairs – Northern Border for an annual meeting that has become a cornerstone of the trip. The group also heard from other Congressmembers including former Presidential Candidate and now Senator Ricardo Anaya, about economic development in the border region, clean energy opportunities and incorporating these efforts under the USMCA agreement. Senators shared a commitment to promote Mexico as the top nearshoring destination in Latin America, to continued collaboration with the Chamber to advance shared priorities and ensure our northern border’s economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
Speaking of bringing investments to our region, the International & Public Affairs team stayed in Mexico City a few extra days after the Chamber’s agenda concluded to join the ProBaja delegation visiting embassies and trade offices to promote, attract, and increase foreign investment in our Cali-Baja region. The group met with the Australia, New Zealand and Mexico Business Council (ANZMEX), the Embassies of Germany and Quebec, and the Economic and Cultural Office of Taipei, among others, strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering relationships with companies who are looking into relocating to the US/MX border region. This is the fourth year in a row that the Chamber collaborates with ProBaja in such efforts, joined by representatives from the Secretariat of Economy and Innovation and the Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, and Tecate EDCs.
Here’s what our regional leaders shared about the 18th Annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City:
“Creating this unique opportunity for dialogue with the leadership in Mexico City, especially the new presidential administration, is critical to advancing our binational region,” said Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “With this large, diverse group of leaders from across Cali-Baja, we’re demonstrating our continued commitment to collaboration. It really helps move the needle on issues when you bring everyone together in one room to show who is impacted and why it matters to their business and community.”
“I’m meeting with leaders in Mexico City to urge action on the cross-border pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “I want to thank the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for organizing this delegation, which allows us to speak with a unified regional voice, build on the progress we’ve made, and advance critical priorities. Together, we’re building a stronger binational region.”
“The annual visit that the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce leads to Mexico City gives our region a unique opportunity to strengthen ties with the Mexican government, promote our priorities as a single Cali-Baja region and showcase collaborative bilateral strength between Mexico and the U.S. It is an honor for the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego to be part of this binational delegation and introduce our region to the new administration, bring forward our initiatives and represent the cross-border community in a very important moment for the future of bilateral relationships” said Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma Consul General of Mexico in San Diego.
“The California-Baja California region plays a vital role in maintaining crucial cultural and commercial ties between California, the U.S. and Mexico,” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Enhancing this critical partnership allows us to continue to advance transportation policies and projects that will help border communities thrive today and into the future.”
“Mexico is more than just our neighbor—it’s a vital cultural and economic partner,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and SANDAG. “I’m honored to join the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor, and this esteemed delegation in strengthening growth, innovation, and prosperity across our binational community. Together, we’re unlocking immense opportunities for trade, investment, and mutual benefit, enriching lives on both sides of the border. By combining our talents, resources, and shared innovative spirit, we’re building vibrant, resilient communities that thrive together.”
“It is fundamental for this administration to maintain direct communication and cooperation between diverse public and private stakeholders on both sides of the border, and to work together on challenges that the mega region faces which impact economic development, environment, infrastructure, and migration,” said Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño.
“The Tijuana River Valley’s ongoing pollution crisis is more than just an environmental challenge; it’s a pressing public health and economic issue for both sides of the border. This bi-national delegation to Mexico City offers us a critical opportunity to strengthen partnerships, secure investments, and align infrastructure efforts to benefit our entire region,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. “By addressing transboundary pollution, improving border efficiency, and supporting sustainable economic growth, we can build a future where communities in the Cali-Baja region thrive. Our region’s strength lies in collaboration, and with the right investments, we will protect our shared environment and unlock new opportunities for prosperity.”
The delegation represented a diverse mix of regional leaders, industry organizations, and elected officials from both sides of the border including:
- San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
- Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño
- Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas
- Baja California Senator Gustavo Sanchez
- Baja Congresswoman Erika Santana and Jalisco Congresswoman Nadia Sepúlveda.
- Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency
- Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre
- Chula Vista Mayor John McCann
- San Diego City Councilmembers Marni Von Wilpert and Vivian Moreno
- Chula Vista City Councilmember Carolina Chavez
- Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma Consul General of Mexico in San Diego
- Baja State Repesentatives Eligio Valencia and Daylin Garcia.
Media Coverage:
Our trip to Mexico City generated significant media coverage, with over 100 mentions across various platforms, reaching an audience of over 477 million. This proves the widespread interest in the economic and cross-border initiatives the Chamber advocated for. Major domestic national outlets such as Yahoo, MSN, and NewsNation featured the trip, alongside robust local coverage in San Diego and Tijuana. Televisa traveled with the delegation sharing continual updates from meetings and interviews with delegates and speakers. View the Televisa coverage here. This extensive media presence highlights the importance of the binational collaboration as well as our relationships’ impact on our region’s economic development.