Mexico looking to sign national water agreement by November

After announcing her intention to reorganize water concessions in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that she aims to have a water agreement signed by concession holders, representatives of irrigation districts and relevant authorities by November.

Concession holders who are not fully utilizing their allocated water volumes and transferring their water rights should also be included in this process, Sheinbaum said during her Tuesday morning press conference.

“What we want is a comprehensive agreement to protect our water resources, ensuring water sustainability that involves everyone,” she said. “From this agreement, we can initiate the necessary legal modifications, but we must first address the inequities that have arisen and ensure that those responsible for these distortions come to a consensus.”

In her inaugural speech as President, Sheinbaum declared her commitment to signing a national agreement to safeguard the country’s water resources and reorganize water rights concessions and transfers, a move that experts have deemed essential.

On Tuesday, she added that meetings are currently underway with the representatives of major irrigation districts to reallocate their unused water volumes to support other districts or communities.

“We will take action to improve the efficiency of water use,” she stated. “What we want – and what all of Mexico wants – is for this water to be directed toward more irrigation districts that will enhance food production and, most importantly, support human consumption.”

She noted that many of these irrigation districts are located in Baja California state, where her administration aims to ensure a steady water supply for the city of Tijuana, as well as in the La Laguna region, which spans Durango and Coahuila states.

“We want to engage in discussions with them before taking any action. Regardless, I believe agreements are being reached, and we hope to finalize this significant agreement by the end of November,” she said.