Fifth Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders — Estado 33
- Editorial
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Mexican migration is often measured by the number of people living outside the country or by the money they send back to their communities of origin. The Fifth Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders — Estado 33 proposes a broader perspective: recognizing the diaspora as a network capable of generating knowledge, investment, municipal cooperation and projects connecting Mexico and the United States.
From conversation to commitments
On August 27 and 28, 2026, Jalisco will host the 5th Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders — Estado 33, an event designed to move beyond conversations about migration and toward the construction of permanent mechanisms for participation, cooperation and development involving Mexican communities abroad.
The central premise sets the forum apart from many traditional meetings: it is expected to produce concrete documents rather than end with declarations alone. Its goal is to develop the first foundational instruments of Estado 33 and a 2026–2027 Binational Migrant Agenda capable of organizing priorities, responsibilities, partnerships and projects with measurable follow-up.
“The true strength of a diaspora emerges when its economic, social and cultural ties become institutions, agreements and projects capable of lasting over time.”
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Two days to build a binational agenda
The first day, August 27, includes an inaugural event at the Congress of the State of Jalisco, bringing together institutional representatives, municipalities, migrant leaders, businesspeople, academics and binational organizations. The program includes the presentation of Estado 33, the Estado 33 – Mexican Diaspora Award for Dr. Enrique Michel Velasco and the symbolic unveiling of a bust that is expected to later be transferred to Centro Cívico Mexicano in Salt Lake City, Utah.
On August 28, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga will host the forum dedicated to developing the basic documents of Estado 33. Its methodology is organized around three stages: listen, build and commit. The objective is to diagnose problems, develop proposals and conclude with clearly assigned responsibilities and commitments.
The program proposes 10 principal outputs, including the Tlajomulco Declaration of Estado 33, a foundational principles document, a Charter of Rights and Participation of the Mexican Diaspora, the Estado 33 Migrant Agenda 2026–2027, a Binational Municipal Partnership Model, a Tlajomulco–Salt Lake City Cooperation Protocol, a 100-Day Action Plan and a formal record of commitments by migrant leaders and municipalities.
Eight working groups to transform ideas into projects
The forum will include eight working groups focused on education, philanthropy, culture, gastronomy, business, tourism, security and InterAlcaldes Estado 33. Each group will be expected to establish a diagnosis, determine priorities, propose solutions, assign responsibilities, identify partnerships and resources, and define indicators to measure results.
The methodology also establishes 30-, 100- and 365-day horizons, an important mechanism designed to prevent agreements from disappearing once the meeting ends. Each working group is expected to conclude with a commitment identifying the problem, proposed solution, responsible party, partners, estimated budget, starting date, target and indicator.
Economic development occupies a strategic place within this agenda. The business working group seeks to connect Mexican entrepreneurs in Mexico with Mexican and Latino entrepreneurs in the United States through trade, imports and exports, manufacturing, technology, investment, nearshoring, financing and entrepreneurship. Education focuses on talent and academic cooperation, while tourism, culture and gastronomy seek to transform identity and community ties into opportunities on both sides of the border.
Tlajomulco and Salt Lake City as the first axis
One of the initiative's most significant territorial proposals is to position Tlajomulco de Zúñiga and Salt Lake City as the first pilot municipalities of a future binational network of cities connected to the Mexican diaspora.
The InterAlcaldes Estado 33 working group seeks to build a permanent network of Mexican and U.S. mayors and local governments connected to migrant communities. Its agenda includes economic cooperation, tourism, security, culture, education, public services, innovation, investment and the exchange of municipal best practices. The model could eventually extend to additional cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
This approach changes the traditional relationship between migration and territory. Rather than viewing communities abroad primarily through remittances, municipalities of origin could begin treating them as potential partners in investment, knowledge, education, tourism promotion and community development.
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A binational structure behind the meeting
The organizing committee brings together migrant, business, municipal, academic and communications leaders. Dr. Enrique Michel Velasco and Alberto Martínez serve as host presidents, while Marco Tardelli leads the General Coordination of Estado 33–Mexican Diaspora. The Mexico–United States binational coordination includes Gabriela Castillo, Arturo Fontes, Javier Martínez, Brandy Farmer and Alberto Martínez, supported by coordinators representing working groups, municipalities, migrant organizations, businesses, academia and communications.
Brandy Farmer is also listed among the hosts and provides a direct connection with Salt Lake City, where Centro Cívico Mexicano is among the organizations convening the initiative. The planned transfer of Dr. Enrique Michel Velasco's bust is intended to give the recognition a binational dimension and serve as the first element in a future Gallery of Agents of Change of the Mexican Diaspora.
An agenda that must continue after the forum
The greatest challenge for the Fifth Binational Meeting will begin once the working sessions end. The difference between an institutional gathering and an effective binational platform will depend on whether documents become agreements, agreements produce accountable leadership, and those responsibilities are translated into projects that can be measured.
The Tlajomulco Declaration is intended to become the central political document of the meeting, establishing that Mexicans living abroad constitute a fundamental part of Mexico and require permanent mechanisms for participation, representation, connection and binational development.
The initiative summarizes that vision in one of its central statements:
“We are not here only to talk about migration; we are here to build the institutional framework of the Mexican diaspora.” — Marco Tardelli
The Mexican diaspora already possesses business networks, knowledge, identity, organizational capacity and strong ties to both countries. The next step is to build institutions capable of systematically connecting that capital with communities of origin. Are Mexican municipalities prepared to transform that binational strength into a new instrument for local development?
Written by: Editorial
Sources
Official Program of the 5th Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders — Estado 33, August 27–28, 2026. The document establishes the goal of producing Estado 33's foundational instruments, the 2026–2027 Migrant Agenda and developing Tlajomulco and Salt Lake City as pilot municipalities.
Official Program — Working Groups and Forum Methodology. Defines the eight thematic working groups and a methodology based on diagnosis, accountability, deadlines and indicators.
Official Program — General Committee and Tlajomulco Declaration. Details the organizing structure and the principles proposed for the meeting's central document.
Congress of the State of Jalisco — August 2026 Activities Calendar. The institutional calendar lists the 5th Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders — Estado 33 on August 27. View the Congress of Jalisco calendar
FHC Internacional — Estado 33. Institutional information about the project and its proposal to organize and represent the Mexican diaspora. View Estado 33 at FHC Internacional
Centro Cívico Mexicano — Salt Lake City, Utah. Institutional information about one of the U.S.-based organizations connected to the project. View Centro Cívico Mexicano
Semanario Conciencia Pública — First Binational Meeting of Migrant Leaders. Background coverage documenting earlier efforts to develop a migrant agenda and Tlajomulco's participation in previous meetings. View background coverage of the binational meeting
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