California Governor Schwarzenegger Launches XXVI Annual Border Governors Conference

Highlights Conference Theme of "Building Green Economies"

August 13, 2008 -- Continuing his pledge to cooperate on increasing environmental protection, fighting climate change and building commerce in the U.S.-Mexico border region, California Gov. Schwarzenegger today opened the XXVI Annual Border Governors Conference (BGC) at Universal Studios Hollywood. The XXVI Annual BGC, chaired by Governor Schwarzenegger, will highlight the benefits of building green economies throughout the border region.

"Together we have accomplished a great deal over the past year and, today, we are building on our common desire to make the border region an economic powerhouse by building green economies that will improve the lives of all border residents," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "Our common border makes us more than just neighbors, it makes us partners in working to create a more vibrant economy and healthier environment."

Building on the economic success of California's environmental leadership, the XXVI Annual BGC will focus on increasing the number of green companies, green initiatives and green public-private partnerships to create a thriving green economic border region. The XXVI Annual BGC is partnering with a leader in the green revolution, General Electric. With $12 billion in clean technology revenues in 2006, General Electric will help underscore the economic and environmental benefits of establishing the border region as a leader in innovative, clean technology.

Clean-tech companies from both sides of the border will display their products at the BGC's first ever Green Technology Exposition, which is a unique opportunity to showcase the expansive products and resources available in the border region's green market. Nearly 70 companies will present their innovative green technologies including electric cars, solar-powered flashlights and non-toxic cleaning products during the two-day Green Technology Exposition.

"In California, we are always working to demonstrate how we can protect the environment and build the economy at the same time. And this issue is more important than ever because we face unprecedented challenges from global warming and high energy prices on both sides of our border," Governor Schwarzenegger continued. "Right now, we have an enormous opportunity to create a new green economy."

The 10 Border Governors will hold a roundtable with federal officials from the U.S. and Mexico, including U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Mexican Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mourino and Mexican Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira, to follow up on recent visits made to the national capitals.

The roundtable will provide an opportunity for the federal secretaries to highlight progress made on issues discussed during previous delegation visits, including border infrastructure and security, environmental issues, water management, economic development and emergency response and disaster preparedness.

Another first in BGC history, the XXVI Annual BGC will hold four policy forums with world renowned experts, Nobel laureates, business leaders, government officials and others to discuss important shared opportunities and challenges along the border, including:

* A Conversation on Building Green Economies with Nobel Laureates and Leaders will explore the cultural, historical, social and economic factors that drive the creation of green economies and how these new economies are transforming every aspect of our lives. This forum will be moderated by Cullman Senior Fellow Terry Tamminen who will host a panel of Nobel laureates and industry leaders.
* Human Trafficking...A Unified Call to Action, moderated by First Lady Maria Shriver, will help to develop solutions to combat human trafficking across the border. The conversation will feature experts from the U.S. and Mexico, including leaders in the fields of law enforcement, international human rights, victim assistance and human trafficking survivors.
* Innovative Water and Energy Strategies to Manage the Border Region's Resources will highlight the urgency of utilizing emerging technologies to address the shortages of clean, renewable energy and safe, plentiful water. This forum will be moderated by Natural Resources Defense Council Energy Co-Director Ralph Cavanagh and will host a panel of government and private industry leaders.
* Driving the Border States' Agenda through the Use of Technology-Enabled Mass Collaboration will look at new opportunities for partnership, collaboration and progress between the Border States as new technologies emerge. This forum will be moderated by California's Chief Information Officer Teri Takai and will host a panel of leaders in the technology and communication fields.

On the final day of the conference, representatives from each of the 10 Border States will participate in 13 worktables on the common interest areas of agriculture and livestock, border security, economic development, education, emergency and civil protection, energy, environment, health, logistics and international crossings, science and technology, tourism, water and wildlife. The worktables will help develop collaborative and comprehensive action plans to address these shared issue areas.

The BGC is the largest bi-national venue and provides the important opportunity to work together on mutual concerns and address shared challenges on both sides of the border. Arizona, California, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, New Mexico, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Texas make up the 10 Border States and represent the world's most important and dynamic bi-national region. The 2008 conference is the third time California has hosted the BGC during its 26-year history.

Spanning nearly 2,000 miles, the U.S.-Mexico border is the busiest international border in the world with approximately 250 million people crossing annually. More than 90 million people call the border region home, and it represents a collective economy that ranks third in the world.

Mexico is California's number one trading partner with $20 billion a year in exports to Mexico. Tourists and visitors from Mexico to California spent $1.6 billion in 2006.

For more information on the BGC, please visit www.bordergovernors.ca.gov.

Source: California Governor

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