SANDAG will hold its Annual Binational Summer Conference, Homeland Security, Challenges and Opportunities for the San Diego-Northern Baja California Region, Friday, July 11, 2003 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the San Ysidro Middle School Multicultural Complex, at 4345 Otay Mesa Road in San Ysidro.

Keynote speakers include Peter Verga, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Ernesto Ruffo Appel, Commissioner of Northern Border Affairs for the Republic of Mexico.

"In the past, these conferences have brought together hundreds of participants from both sides of the border to discuss a multitude of topics of binational interest," said Gary Gallegos, SANDAG Executive Director. "We believe the relevance of this year's topic will be more meaningful than ever to the conference participants," he added.

The Committee on Binational Regional Opportunities (COBRO), which helps to host the summer conference, advises SANDAG on both short- and long-term border-related activities, issues, and actions; provides recommendations regarding binational border-related planning and development; and identifies ways to assist and coordinate with existing efforts in the binational area.

Membership includes representatives from both sides of the border in business, academia, and non-governmental organizations, and the Consuls General of the U.S. and Mexico.

Additional information about the annual summer conference can be found on the SANDAG Web site.

Project Manager: Hector Vanegas
(619) 595-5372