Mexico and U.S. announce Rio Grande Cooperation Agreement

The Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) between Mexico and the United States announces the signing of Minute 331: "Measures to Improve the Reliability and Predictability of Rio Grande Water Deliveries to Benefit Mexico and the United States." The agreement strengthens bilateral cooperation on critical issues such as water supply, environmental protection, and water conservation and quality in the Rio Grande basin.

The signing of Minute 331 took place on November 7, 2024, in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. With both governments' approval, the agreement is now in effect. Key points include:

• Ensuring greater reliability and predictability in water allocations for users in both countries
• Creating working groups focused on projects, new water sources, and environmental matters
• Enhancing water quality in the Rio Grande basin

Mexican Commissioner Adriana Reséndez said: "This agreement provides Mexico with additional tools to fulfill its commitments under the 1944 Water Treaty while maintaining our nation's sovereignty over its resources and decisions concerning the Rio Grande basin."

Humberto Marengo, Technical Deputy Director General of the National Water Commission, said: "Minute 331 is a tool that enables us to explore and adopt new strategies to better administer and manage available water in the Rio Grande basin."

The Rio Grande waters, shared from Fort Quitman, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico, are governed by the 1944 Water Treaty. While Minute 331 does not set specific water volumes, it provides tools for more efficient management, benefiting users in both countries.

The IBWC is responsible for ensuring compliance with the bilateral treaties on boundaries and waters, and for resolving any disputes related to their application.