The Center for Binational Institutions (CBI) is an initiative by the U.S.-Mexico Foundation. It aims to support and enhance binational institutions between the US and Mexico by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. The CBI recognizes the increasing interdependence between the two nations and the need for robust and updated bilateral institutions to maintain a stable, positive, and functional relationship. Accordingly, the CBI focuses on analyzing binational issues through an institutional lens.
We aim to provide a comprehensive and informative overview of the institutional framework that underpins the U.S.-Mexico relationship and shed light on the vital role binational institutions play in promoting mutual understanding, prosperity, and security.
About
We are committed to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the United States and Mexico by promoting the recognition, dissemination, and facilitation of information on bilateral institutional interactions. Its mission is to identify and study institutional mechanisms that facilitate cooperation and joint initiatives between the two nations.
Mission
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A binational institution is a mechanism that comprises established rules, procedures, and structures that foster cooperation and coordination between two countries, addressing shared concerns such as trade, security, environmental protection, and cultural exchange. They are vital for establishing and maintaining strong and productive relationships between neighboring nations, offering an efficient and effective means of tackling common challenges and achieving shared objectives.
These institutions come in diverse forms, including agreements, joint commissions, working groups, binational agencies, high-level dialogue mechanisms, and border management committees. Binational agreements are legally binding treaties that cover a wide range of issues, while joint commissions involve the appointment of commissioners or delegates to address specific concerns. Working groups are specialized task forces, while binational agencies are joint governmental organizations created to tackle challenges or advance common interests. High-level dialogue mechanisms provide a platform for discussing strategic issues, and border management committees focus on managing shared borders between two countries.
The structure and function of these mechanisms depend on the issues being addressed and the needs of the participating countries. Ultimately, binational institutional mechanisms encourage regional stability and prosperity by offering a framework for ongoing collaboration and dialogue between neighboring countries.
Content
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Binational Institutions Repository
The Binational Institutions Repository (BIR) is a central and comprehensive open knowledge platform that collects, analyzes, and studies binational institutions between the United States and Mexico.
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Publications
Our publications cover critical topics relevant to the bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States. They serve to strengthen the importance of binational institutions by providing valuable insights and analysis. We offer two main types of publications: Panels and Briefs.
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Annual Report
The CBI Annual Report serves as a yearly analysis of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico through an institutional lens. It provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of important interactions that have taken place over the year, including expert opinions that offer insights and reflections on these interactions.
Our Sponsors
Coppel emerged as a nationwide department store in Mexico, characterized by providing easy credit and purchase payments through installments. Its mission is to bring its clients a world of possibilities to improve their lives. It contributes to social development through education, social welfare, and health projects. Coppel also promotes the U.S.-Mexico bilateral relationship through the granting of credits to migrants in the U.S. and its active participation in the negotiation processes of both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Intuit is an American company that specializes in financial software. This company seeks to attract the best global talent, add partners to its global platform and create exceptional corporate citizenship. Intuit's mission is to drive prosperity around the world through job creation. Intuit seeks to achieve its mission by investing in people, strengthening communities, and offering everyone the opportunity to prosper.
Parent Organizations
The U.S. Mexico Foundation (USMF) is a binational non-profit organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and bilateral understanding between the United States and Mexico. Rooted in the North America Free Trade Agreement and launched in 2009 with seed funds from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and the Business Foundation in Mexico (Fundemex), the USMF is governed by a bi-national board of business and civic leaders with extensive networks in the U.S. and Mexico.
The USMF started a new chapter with a compelling agenda focused on policy and advocacy, creating new strategic alliances, educating important stakeholders and providing a voice on the most relevant issues pertaining the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
Texas A&M University is dedicated to the discovery, development, communication, and application of knowledge in a wide range of academic and professional fields. Its mission of providing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs is inseparable from its mission of developing new understandings through research and creativity. It prepares students to assume roles in leadership, responsibility and service to society. Texas A&M assumes as its historic trust the maintenance of freedom of inquiry and an intellectual environment nurturing the human mind and spirit. It welcomes and seeks to serve persons of all racial, ethnic and geographic groups as it addresses the needs of an increasingly diverse population and a global economy. In the 21st century, Texas A&M University seeks to assume a place of preeminence among public universities while respecting its history and traditions.
