U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges

The document examines the history and evolution of U.S.-Mexico hydrodiplomacy, centered on the Treaty of 1944 and subsequent cooperative agreements. It notes that while climate change, population growth, and economic development have intensified water scarcity along the border, binational institutions have become more adept at implementing innovative water management adaptations, supporting the theory that robust institutions can foster cooperation over conflict even under complex conditions.

• The Treaty of 1944 serves as the primary and most lasting example of hydrodiplomacy between the U.S. and Mexico, establishing the apportionment of the Tijuana River, Colorado River, and Rio Grande.
• Water scarcity at the U.S.-Mexico border has been exacerbated by population growth, economic development, increasing water demand, and the effects of climate change.
• Despite increasing scarcity and governance challenges, binational institutions between the U.S. and Mexico have improved their ability to create innovative adaptations for water management, shifting the regional dynamic from conflict toward collaboration.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges. 2025. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges |date=11 January 2025 |url=https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025usmexico, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }