October 26, 2026

A delegation of more than 100 business and community leaders from San Diego and Baja California –including Mayor Todd Gloria, Baja’s Secretary of Economy and Innovation Kurt Honold, Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, and Mayor John Duncan- 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 11 – 14, 2026. 

Click Here for 2026 Delegation Pictures  

This trip marks a milestone: 20 years of delegations to Mexico’s capital city. Over the last two decades, the Chamber has secured the modernization and expansion of the San Ysidro and PedWest ports of entry, championed CBX, brought forward Otay Mesa East, ratified the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, and secured $144 million in federal funding from Mexico to address the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis, transforming infrastructure on the Mexican side, including the San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant and pump station rehabilitations. 

Delegates had a unique opportunity to elevate our region’s priorities and continue to advance initiatives, infrastructure, policies and projects that help our business and community thrive.  The trip agenda covered diverse issues that are critical to CaliBaja’s prosperity, including water management and infrastructure, Mexico’s energy policies, immigration, border efficiency, and economic development and trade opportunities through USMCA.  

 During our water management and infrastructure session, the Mexican section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (CILA, in Spanish) shared that 7 projects under Minute 328 have been completed, while 7 remain in progress, 2 are in the bidding process, and 5 are about to begin. In addition, Minute 333 is intended to focus on sewage system and rainwater system, and a Master Plan for Tijuana will identify these needs. Both CILA and the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) address the need for ongoing funding, especially for emergencies.  

In our meeting with the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary Cristina Planter shared insight on Mexico’s foreign policy strategy that prioritizes multi-stakeholder ties at the state and local levels. She also shared the administration’s priority for North America is to remain open and competitive through its commitment to the USMCA and Plan Mexico, a national strategy to increase industrial development and attract foreign investments. Security and migration were also mentioned, including the importance of cross-collaboration to advance binational security commitments and ensure the U.S. has proper detention and enforcement strategies to protect Mexican nationals.  

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. Senators prioritized continued integration at the border through manufacturing, trade, chips, and AI, and the need to continue focus on strengthening the binational relationship. The meeting was followed by a recognition at the Senate during its legislative session. Senator Juan Melendrez, who represents the State of Baja, also recognized the Chamber’s 20 years leading a binational delegation to Mexico City.  

Here’s what our regional leaders shared about the 20th Annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City:  

“Twenty years ago, the Chamber had a simple idea: bring together the Cali-Baja region’s best and brightest, put them in a room with Mexican decisionmakers, and solve real problems,” said Chris Cate, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “That idea has delivered. When you take 100+ business leaders from both sides of the border and sit them down with Mexican senators, cabinet secretaries, and federal officials to have serious conversations about shared challenges, things move. That’s what these delegations represent: two decades of proof that binational collaboration works.” 

“The border region dynamic is based on strong relationships and a shared will to solve problems. These relationships build trust, and we need to continue to work on developing the institutions and lasting mechanisms that will give that trust continuity: permanent working groups, measurable objectives, shared data, and stronger connections between Tijuana, San Diego and our nations’ capitals. We must strive to incorporate the border perspective earlier into national policymaking to strategically achieve a binational region. The border should not be the place where our two countries end, but where our shared future begins,” said Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. 

“San Diego’s relationship with Mexico is not an abstraction—it is part of daily life in our city, reflected in our families, our shared culture and a binational economy that supports jobs throughout our region,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “In Mexico City, we will build on progress to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley while pressing for full implementation, long-term maintenance and accountability to finally end this decades-long crisis. We will also work to advance the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry to reduce border wait times, improve air quality and expand trade. Together, we can build a healthier, more connected and more prosperous binational region.”  

“Baja California’s participation in this delegation reflects our commitment to strengthening the economic partnership between our binational region. Through international collaboration and direct engagement with federal partners, we can advance priorities that create prosperity and opportunity for both our communities,” said State of Baja California Secretary of Economy and Innovation Kurt Honold. 

The delegation represented a diverse mix of regional leaders, industry organizations, and elected officials from both sides of the border including:  

• San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson 

• Coronado Mayor John Duncan 

• San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria  

• National City Mayor Ron Morrison 

• Secretary of Economy and Innovation, Kurt Honold, State of Baja California 

• Assemblymember Evelyn Sanchez, State of Baja California 

• Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez 

• Escondido Deputy Mayor Joe Garcia 

• Carlsbad City Councilmember Teresa Acosta 

• Chula Vista City Councilmembers Carolina Chavez and Michael Inzunza 

• Coronado City Councilmember Mark Fleming  

• Imperial Beach City Councilmember Mariko Nakawatase 

• San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno 

• Tijuana City Councilmembers Georgina Arana Cruz, Melissa Pacheco, Lemuel Ramirez, and Pablo Yañez 

• Tecate Councilmember Isaac Contreras 

• Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego 

• Consul General Lance Hegerle, Consul General of the United States in Tijuana 

Media Coverage:  

Our trip to Mexico City generated significant media coverage, with over 49 mentions across various  platforms, reaching an audience of over 17 million. This proves the widespread interest in the economic and cross-border initiatives the Chamber advocated for. Major coverage includes EL Imparcial, KOGO Radio, and La Jornada.  This extensive media presence highlights the importance of the binational collaboration as well as our relationships’ impact on our region’s economic development.