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VIII Meeting of the Science and Technology Subgroup XVII U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission Meeting, Washington, DC Fact sheet released by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, June 14, 2000

On May 18, 2000, the Science and Technology Subgroup of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission held its eighth annual meeting. The Subgroup meeting, which takes place annually between the United States and Mexico, provides a review of its collaborative programs and research. Areas of focus include computer science, engineering, biomedical research, metrology, weather, environment, health, energy, and education.

The Science and Technology Subgroup was composed of delegations from both the U.S. and Mexico. The Mexican delegation was co-chaired by Carlos Bazdresch Parada, Director General of the National Council of Science and Technology and Enrique Berruga, Coordinator of the Mexican Institute for International Cooperation of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. Kenneth Brill, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs of the Department of State, chaired the U.S. delegation. Specific areas of cooperative research that were discussed include:

CONACYT/NSF Programs: NAFTA Net/Pan American Advance Studies Institute

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Mexican Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) are collaborating in the development of an electronic network that will enhance international cooperation in materials science and engineering. The net will operate through a network of centers in each of the participating countries. Centers in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. have been funded to support joint collaborative research between scientists from NAFTA countries. This NAFTA Net was established as a core for further discussions and collaborations between the nations.

The Pan American Advance Studies Institute (PASI) is a multinational program which promotes graduate and postdoctoral workshops in the Americas. The Institute's cooperation with Mexico's CONACYT helped support Mexican students' participation in PASI activities last year.

The Large Millimeter Telescope

The Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) project, created by a binational consortium of contributors both public and private, is scheduled to be fully operational by the year 2002. The LMT will aid in space research and observation. Located at an altitude of 14,763 feet on the summit of Mount Cerro la Negra in Central Mexico, the LMT will be one of the largest radio telescopes in North America.

The U.S.-Mexico Foundation for Science

The U.S.-Mexico Foundation for Science is a private non-profit foundation established in 1992 with the goal of promoting and supporting scientific research and technological collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico. Both nations recognize the Foundation as a corner stone in developing bilateral science and technology cooperation. Both the U.S. and Mexico have made substantial donations to the endowment for the purpose of education and outreach to the scientific community through workshops and exchanges.

Volcanic Activity Monitoring in Mexico

In 1994 volcanic activity in Central Mexico increased and monitoring programs were created to help mitigate potential hazards. Over the past five years a binational collaborative program between the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Mexico's Centro Nacional de Provencion de Desastres (CENAPRED) has provided training, equipment, and developed technical maps and reports to help monitor volcanic activity. Ash clouds, produced by the eruptions, pose a serious hazard to aircraft. The Mexican Aviation Authority (SEMEAM) is currently monitoring ash and air quality and its effects on aircraft in Mexico.

GLOBE Program in Mexico

The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is a hands-on science education program for students from around the world. Currently ten schools in Mexico participate in the GLOBE program and they have held three Internet chats with other GLOBE students. This year 50 new GLOBE teachers will be trained in Mexico City. The new teachers, along with the donation of new computers for each of the new schools, will help support the GLOBE program in the new millennium.

Agricultural Biotechnology: Research and Public Perception of Biosafety

Agricultural biotechnology promises enormous benefits by providing a secure food supply for a growing population, increasing the nutritional value of foods, developing better medicines, and -- through the use of fewer pesticides -- a cleaner environment. Biotechnology requires international cooperation on science-based risk assessment and regulation. The U.S. and Mexico are collaborating on biotechnology and are conducting research into the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on the environment. Both delegations stressed the need for continued cooperative work in testing and demonstrating the safety of GMOs.

Tribute to Congressman George Brown

Both Secretary of State Albright and Mexico's Foreign Secretary Green paid tribute to the late Congressman George Brown during the closing plenary of the Binational Commission Meeting. Congressman Brown was a strong advocate of international scientific collaboration and worked to strengthen cooperation between Mexico and the United States. His support helped in making the Binational Commission and its Science and Technology Subgroup possible.

The Science and Technology Subgroup noted that science and technology will continue to enjoy great cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in the 21st century. The Subgroup also recognized the importance of science as an international undertaking and the key to sustaining the world's growing populations and economies.

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