The states and provinces on both sides of America's northern and southern borders share a common interest in fostering close cooperation on economic development, environmental management, and many other issues. Many of the key policy challenges faced by state and provincial leaders in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. can only be effectively addressed by working with their counterparts across the border.

U.S. - Canada Cooperation

CSG helps state and provincial governments work together to solve common challenges and learn from each other's experiences, by conducting regular meetings, seminars and exchange programs linking state and provincial leaders. Six provinces have formally joined CSG's Eastern, Midwestern and Western regional conferences and participate regularly in CSG's regional meetings. In addition, CSG's Midwestern Legislative Conference also has a Midwest-Canada Relations Committee, a standing committee that meets regularly to explore issues of mutual concern.

U.S. - Mexico Cooperation

CSG's Western and Southern offices jointly administer the Border Legislative Conference (BLC). This program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), hosts regular forums for legislators from the 10 states along the U.S.-Mexico border to meet and discuss such important topics as immigration, border security, and environmental management. Through the BLC, state leaders are also able to learn about their respective governmental institutions and policy challenges.