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0022~O Tuesday, September 11, 2001 OPENING SESSION VICTOR EVERARDO BELTRAN CORONA DIRECTOR, AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF BAJA CALIFORNIA: On behalf of the university, Mr. Beltran expressed his feelings of concern for the events of September 11 in the United States. He wel- comed participants and attendees, stating the waters of the Colorado River had brought people together at the conference, providing an opportunity to reach agreements on the Colo- rado River Delta (Delta) that will benefit popula- tions on both sides of the border. The river has given life and progress to both countries and to the cities and towns in the Imperial and Mexicali valleys. The university has a goal of contributing to a democratic and equitable society, as well as the environment, by providing educated citizens that can address the problems facing the envi- ronment including the Delta and the Gulf of California. This is especially true when address- ing the state of Baja California where one of the biggest challenges is water supply. Both nations recognize this ecosystem as a special resource that cannot be substituted with another resource. Taking the ecosystem into consideration, along with social and economic development, will require the efforts of the region's inhabitants, many of whom have lived there for a long period of time. For them, the Delta is a source of life. The privilege of having the Delta as a re- source makes the populations that use the Colorado River responsible for maintaining its sustainability. The Colorado River ecosystem extends from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf, creating one of the most important habitats in nature, the Delta, where more than 200 species live in harmony in a combination of fresh water and sea water. We should feel proud of the life generated by these conditions but in this cen- tury, the region also is facing unprecedented risks. There are still problems with water man- agement, salinity and pollution. Mexico's president, Vincente Fox, established in his administration that water is an element of national security and part of the strategic development for the country. Because restoring the Delta is such an important area requiring much effort, it is best to avoid conflict. Stopping' the damage to the Delta is imperative before it is irreversible. It is essential to maintain a high quality of life for future generations. J. ARTURO HERRERA SOLIS MEXICAN COMMISSIONER, INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION (VERBATIM): It gives me great pleasure to see several Mexican and US organizations coming together with one common goal: The conservation of the Colorado River Delta. The effort undertaken by such organizations as the Mexican Department of the Environment and National Resources (SEMARNAT) and the National Water Commission (CNA), the Govern- ment of Baja California and the Municipality of Mexicali, the IBWC itself and the Department of the Interior of the United States, constitute a clear demonstration on the part of the adminis- tration of our President Fox and that of his counterpart, President Bush, that the issue of the Colorado River is one of the primary topics on the Mexico-United States border agenda. I must mention the trend being experienced in this issue. By that I mean that the contributions made by non-governmental organizations and academic groups will be of great value for defining the courses of action demanded by this important body of water. This is the reason why we have come together in the Auditorium of the Autonomous Univer- sity of Baja California, one of the most important centers of higher education in the northwestern part of our country. We extend our most sincere appreciation to its distinguished Rector, Victor COLORADO RIvER DELTA BI-NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS ENGLISH 11