Building a Virtual Bridge at the 2024 State of the Rio Grande
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Austin, TX - On November 20th, Texas Water Foundation hosted a free, virtual, and binational event with leaders and experts from both sides of the border to discuss the state of the Rio Grande/Río Bravo. Over 200 people joined the event, listening to panels with simultaneous interpretation, and asking questions during the live Q+A. A complete list of speakers and discussions can be found here.
Texas Water Foundation first co-hosted a binational symposium with the US and Mexican sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and the Texas Commission on Water Quality (TCEQ) in 2023. This in person symposium laid the groundwork to advance trust and collaboration amongst stakeholders on the Rio Grande. Learn more about the 2023 symposium.
In an effort to bridge from last years in person event to the next in person convening in 2025, and as a commitment towards keeping symposium attendees informed on recent developments on the Rio Grande, Texas Water Foundation hosted a virtual “bridge” event in November, 2024. Symbolic of a shared commitment towards the future of the Rio Grande, the virtual symposium included a briefing on the recent adoption of Minute 331, findings on changing water supply, discussions on the nuances of demand, and examples of collaboration and hope.
A key topic for the 2024 binational bridge event was the recent signing of Minute 331 by the International Boundary and Water Commission. In a long anticipated negotiation, the US and Mexican sections of the IBWC agreed to a new framework for the 1944 International Treaty which governs the management of the binational river, that increases the reliability and predictability of water deliveries. The opening and closing panel of the virtual event featured IBWC Commissioner Maria Elena Giner, IBWC Commissioner Adriana Résendez, and TCEQ Commissioner Bobby Janecka reflecting on that minute, the San Juan water deal, and discussing what comes next.
In addition to providing a timely update on these recent negotiations, the 2024 State of the Rio Grande virtual bridge event worked to help unite leading officials, experts, stakeholders, and the public around the shifting reality and shared challenges of advancing water security on both sides of the river. Texas Water Foundation was encouraged by a shared commitment towards trust and collaboration.
Texas Water Foundation hosted this year’s event in partnership with the U.S. Section of the international Boundary and Water Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. We were joined by esteemed panelists:
Commissioner Maria Elena Giner, US Section of the IBWC
Commissioner Adriana Reséndez, MX Section of the IBWC
Commissioner Bobby Janecka, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Adrian Cortez, US Section of the IBWC
Dr. Sam Sandoval, University of California Davis, Associate Director of the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters
Dr. Rosario Sanchez Flores, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M University, Director of the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters
Marilyn Gilbert, General Manager & CEO of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board
Sonny Hinojosa, Hidalgo County Irrigation District #2
Martín Parga Castillo, General Director of the Irrigation Users Association of Chihuahua
Homey Bon Santoyo, Substitute Technical Secretary Technical Director, Río. Bravo Basin Organization, CONAGUA
Rosario Alvarez, Executive Director at Pronatura Noreste
Enrique Prunes, Rio Grande Manager and Freshwater Lead Specialist at World Wildlife Fund
James King, Co-Owner, King Land & Water
Salvador López Córdova, Chief Environmental Officer at North American Development Bank
Texas Water Foundation also used the event to announce the 2025 Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Binational River Symposium dates. A three day in person convening will return to McAllen, Texas on November 5-7, 2025.