North American Development Bank

The North American Development Bank (NADB) and "its sister institution, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), were created in 1994 under the auspices of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to address environmental issues in the U.S.-Mexico border region," its website states. 

"The two institutions initiated operations under the November 1993 Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican States Concerning the Establishment of a Border Environment Cooperation Commission and a North American Development Bank," the NADB website states. 

Mission
According to the NADB website, "[e]stablished in 1994 with headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, the NADB is a bilaterally-funded, international organization, capitalized and governed equally by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental infrastructure projects along their joint border. Its mission is to serve as a binational partner and catalyst in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border in order to enhance the affordability, financing, long-term development and effective operation of infrastructure that promotes a clean, healthy environment for the citizens of the region.

"The NADB can provide financial assistance to public and private entities involved in developing environmental infrastructure projects in the border region. Potable water supply, wastewater treatment and municipal solid waste management form the core sectors of the Bank’s activities and are its primary focus. However, assistance can also be provided in other areas—such as air quality, clean energy and hazardous waste—where sponsors are able to demonstrate tangible health and/or environmental benefits for residents living in the area.

"The NADB is authorized to serve communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region, which extends 2,100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. Eligible communities must be located within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) north of the international boundary in the four U.S. states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California and within 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) south of the border in the six Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California."

Organization
"Under the Charter, the BECC and NADB have a shared Board of Directors, while each institution has its own officers and staff." 

"The BECC-NADB Board of Directors consists of ten members: five from the United States and five from Mexico. The chairmanship of the board alternates between U.S. and Mexican representatives every year." 

"All powers of the BECC and NADB are vested in the Board of Directors, which determines policy within the framework of the Charter, and approves all project certifications and loan proposals. All decisions of the Board require the assent of a majority of the directors appointed by each country." 

"Jorge C. Garcés, a U.S. citizen, was appointed Managing Director of NADB on October 16, 2005." 

Contact Information
203 S. St. Mary's, Suite 300 San Antonio, TX 78205 Phone: 210 231-8000 FAX: 210 231-6232 Website: http://www.nadbank.org/

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * North American Union