Officials with the City of El Paso and the City of Chihuahua formally recognized the relationship and cooperation between the two cities on Monday, May 24, after a unanimous approval by the El Paso City Council to support the signing of a Sister Cities agreement.
“We have always had a cooperative relationship with the City of Chihuahua and instituting this Sister Cities agreement will allow us not only to strengthen that relationship, but provide the necessary structure needed to establish even more collaborative programs,” said El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser. “I was born in Chihuahua and came to the United States at 9 years old. I have fond memories of my early childhood there, and I am thrilled to be able to formalize this wonderful friendship.”
As Sister Cities, El Paso and Chihuahua commit to establishing programs of mutual benefit to meet common needs and promote cooperation in the areas of economic, development, tourism, education, cultural exchange, and art and film.
“This Sister Cities agreement establishes and strengthens our relationships and bonds between Chihuahua and El Paso and we remain committed to build and strengthen our binational collaboration in areas of mutual benefit that include economic development, tourism, culture and education,” said María Angélica Granados Trespalacios, Presidenta Municipal Ciudad Chihuahua (Chihuahua Mayor).
Officials added that the agreement establishes the framework for strengthening the bond across the U.S.-Mexico border as our communities’ work together to harness the power of our 3 states, 2 countries, and 1 region.
“The signing between the Cities of El Paso and Chihuahua, highlights what Sister Cities International stands for in the friendship and history between Mexico and the United States,” said Peter Svarzbein, District 1 City Representative, El Paso Mayor Pro Tem and Vice Chair of the Board for Sister Cities International.
“These relationships are crucial as communication and collaboration become necessary in an even more globalized and interconnected world and economy. This signing is hopefully one of many agreements with our counterparts in Mexico as we walk forward into a bright future side-by-side. Thank you to Mayor Leeser for leading El Paso with this sign of friendship to the community and Mayor of Chihuahua.”
“The Consulate General of Mexico has been collaborating with the City of Chihuahua, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas on the signing of this Sister City agreement; and we’re delighted this is becoming a reality,” said Consul General of Mexico in El Paso, Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León.
“This agreement will surely strengthen and reaffirm their commitment to work together and will promote a wide range of opportunities for both cities in areas such as education, community affairs, culture, trade, and business facilitation and exchanges. We are also sure that such an agreement will reinforce the dialogue between both cities, highlighting the advantages of a strong and lasting relationship, that will surely be reflected in the economic and social environment benefiting the communities on both sides of the border.”
“The resilience, cultures, and shared economies of the United States and Mexico should be celebrated and promoted loudly,” Leroy Allala, President, Sister Cities International.
“As President and CEO of Sister Cities International, I could not be more pleased to see the bonds shared with the City of Chihuahua, as well as Juarez and others with El Paso, be highlighted by the work we can do together in the fields of education, arts and culture, tourism, and trade. Signings like these through the Sister Cities program mark not only an achievement, but also a mission. A mission started by President Eisenhower 65 years ago to bring peace, prosperity and mutual understanding across the globe one city, one person at a time. Congratulations to all involved.”
Chihuahua City is El Paso’s third Sister City, joining Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Hadera, Israel.
Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International is a nonpartisan 501(c) (3) nonprofit which serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States. This network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in nearly 500 member communities with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries.
