Border Governors' Conference
The Border Governors’ Conference (BGC) is the largest bi-national venue to discuss and resolve some of the most important border issues affecting the United States and Mexico. It is comprised of 10 Border States from the United States and Mexico (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, and Tamaulipas) which represent the world’s most important and dynamic bi-national region – with a joint economy that ranks third in the world.
The BGC is represented by the Governors of the 10 Border States and their respective Secretaries, Directors, Commissioners and designated staff. Since its inception in 1980, the organization has enhanced joint border efforts addressing mutual issues of importance in the areas of Agriculture and Livestock, Border Security, Sustainable Development, Education, Health and Emergency Management, Logistics and Border Crossings, and Competitiveness.
The BGC has seven Worktables and each is Co-Chaired by one United States and one Mexican Secretary, Director or Commissioner. Cal OES is a member of both the Health and Emergency Management Worktable and the Border Security Worktable. The worktables focus on providing recommendations and action plans for the Governors’ Joint Declaration. The Joint Declaration is aimed at resolving issues of mutual concern that impact the United States and Mexico border. In addition to the annual conference, the worktables meet at least twice during the year to discuss and develop the recommendations and action plans.
This year, the Governor of Tamaulipas is hosting the XXXIII annual Border Governors’ Conference with California serving as the co-host. In 2016, California plans to host the event.