El Paso and Ciudad Juarez Reaffirm Sister City Ties, Strengthen Binational Cooperation Agenda
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico – June 3, 2026 – Authorities from El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, formalized the update of their Sister City Agreement this Wednesday. This act is considered historic by representatives of both governments, as it reaffirms decades of collaboration between the two border communities and establishes a joint agenda to promote the economic, cultural, educational, and social development of the region.
The ceremony took place during a Special Binational City Council Session led by El Paso Mayor Renard U. Johnson and Ciudad Juarez Municipal President Cruz Pérez Cuéllar. The event saw the participation of members from both city councils, business representatives, and members of organizations dedicated to strengthening international ties between the cities.
Decades of Collaboration Solidified
During the event, it was highlighted that the relationship between both communities transcends political borders and has remained strong for generations, thanks to the family, commercial, educational, and cultural ties that unite the inhabitants on both sides of the Rio Grande.
Representatives from Sister Cities International recalled that the organization was created in 1956 at the initiative of then-U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, with the aim of promoting peace through mutual respect, cooperation, and citizen diplomacy.
In her message, the representative of Sister Cities emphasized that few places represent this mission as authentically as El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, where collaborative relationships are built daily in areas such as trade, health, education, culture, environmental protection, and public safety.
“Borders do not limit cooperation; on the contrary, they create opportunities for collaboration,” she stated during her intervention.
She also pointed out that the binational region formed by both cities is one of the largest and most dynamic cross-border communities in the world, characterized by resilience, unity, and the ability to work together to face common challenges.
Binational Cooperation Agenda for 2026
During the session, the 2026 Binational Cooperation Agenda promoted by Ciudad Juarez and the 2026 International Policy Agenda of the City of El Paso were also presented. These documents will serve as a roadmap to strengthen institutional coordination on strategic issues for both municipalities.
Participants agreed that the signing of the agreement represents much more than a mere protocolary act, as it constitutes a renewed commitment to promote joint projects, strengthen cultural and educational exchange, promote tourism, and generate greater economic development opportunities for future generations.
The ceremony concluded with the official signing of the sister city agreement by Mayors Renard U. Johnson and Cruz Pérez Cuéllar, who reiterated their commitment to continue building a relationship based on cooperation, friendship, and mutual benefit.
“We are stronger because of each other, we are richer for our shared heritage, and we have more hope because we continue to believe in the power of cooperation,” was one of the messages that summarized the spirit of the binational meeting.
With this agreement update, El Paso and Ciudad Juarez reaffirm a historic relationship that seeks to consolidate itself as an international example of collaboration between border cities.
