We recently celebrated the 199th anniversary since Mexico and the United States established their diplomatic relationship, one that continues to serve as an example of productive collaboration and integration for the rest of the world. In anticipation of next year’s bicentennial celebration, the current milestone provides the perfect backdrop to review some of the most important goals achieved by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and its remarkable diplomatic corps.
Under Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s long-term vision, Secretary Marcelo Ebrard’s direction and ambassador Esteban Moctezuma’s drive, we progress toward increasing our effective channels of collaboration, within a framework underlined by mutual respect, in favor of the common good of our communities on both sides of the border.
The diplomatic conversations between Mexico City and Washington reflect the weight both our current administrations confer to a sound bilateral relationship. More importantly, in every case, meetings and dialogues have been translated into tangible and concrete outcomes. The joint fight against COVID-19, for example, has resulted in the donation of more than 13 million vaccines, multiple cross-border vaccination initiatives benefiting over 100,000 people, and more effective multilateral cooperation toward a more egalitarian distribution of vaccines and medications worldwide.
We have chosen to jointly implement ambitious policies addressing the structural causes of migration in the region and tackle the challenges brought on by climate change. One initiative seeks to reduce the emission of methane gas and black carbon to keep the increase in global temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
In terms of international cooperation for development, Mexico and the U.S. launched the Sembrando Oportunidades (“Sowing Opportunities”) program that aims to have a positive impact on more than half a million people in the region. This project will simultaneously strengthen and complement the Foreign Ministry and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation’s social policies across Central America.
Together with Canada, we have also reinstated the North American Leaders Summit, while relaunching the High-Level Economic Dialogue on a bilateral basis. We are additionally moving forward on implementing a new vision for regional security and cooperation anchored in co-responsibility, equality and respect for the sovereignty of each country through the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities, a direct result of the first U. S-Mexico high-level security dialogue.
Regarding our economies, we are working to strengthen binational value chains, like in the semiconductor sector — an essential area for the proper functioning of our industries. Recently, Cabinet officials met with our Foreign Ministry to coordinate needs and proceed with Bicentennial Framework strategies, prioritizing a focus on public health, structural causes of criminality and greater sustainable development in our communities.
Despite the challenges that will always continue to arise for both Mexico and the U.S., it has now become clear that the diplomatic engagement with the Biden administration swerves from all predictions of estrangement between the two governments. Our year in review is one of achievements that directly benefit our peoples and mark a new chapter in the history of our relationship with the U.S.
The U.S. and Mexico are two countries geographically bonded by destiny, but their strong diplomatic relationship moves toward a 200-year breakthrough thanks to hard work, will and friendship. As we continue to build on this new bilateral architecture, we have designed a program for the 199th anniversary enriched by diverse and plural voices reflecting on the past, present and future of our mutual ties.
Through a series of roundtables organized with the Matías Romero Institute, the Diplomatic Historical Collection, the consular network, the Cultural Institute of Mexico in Washington and the Mexican Embassy in the U.S., we will continue to celebrate joint achievements and share new opportunities for integration that withstand the trials of time.
Roberto Velasco is the chief officer for North America at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
