NADBank Board of Directors to allocate US$400 million to finance water conservation and diversification projects in the U.S.-Mexico border region

NADBank Board of Directors to allocate US$400 million to finance water conservation and diversification projects in the U.S.-Mexico border region 

• Board of Directors held semiannual meeting in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua  

• New fund to support initiatives aimed at addressing water stress in the border region  

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua – During the first semiannual meeting of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) in 2025, the Governments of the United States and Mexico. through the Board of Directors. agreed to invest up to US$400 million in priority water conservation and diversification infrastructure in response to prolonged drought conditions throughout the U.S.-Mexico border region. NADBank will welcome input from the public on the Water Resilience Fund (WRF) during a 30-day public comment period beginning next week, after which the Board will consider its final approval.  

Through the WRF, NADBank will allocate up to US$400 million for concessional financing and to make low-interest loans under its loan program. NADBank may also supplement these instruments with market-rate financing to further expand the reach and impact of available resources. 

The WRF is the latest action taken by the NADBank Board of Directors to enable the Bank to invest in infrastructure that addresses critical water shortages across the region. Through innovative financial tools such as this fund, NADBank seeks to boost efforts that promote water conservation and diversification, as well as close infrastructure gaps in access to basic water and wastewater services. 

“This approach is designed to strengthen the overall investment ecosystem and accelerate the implementation of high-priority water infrastructure projects,” stated NADBank Managing Director John Beckham. “Available resources will be allocated equally between the U.S. and Mexico to ensure equitable distribution of support across the border region.” 

Mr. Beckham also noted that “the initial phase of WRF financing is expected to prioritize projects that address urgent drought-related needs in the agriculture sector.” 

The Board also held a hybrid public meeting with approximately 100 people attending in person or via videoconference. Representatives of border communities, public and private stakeholders, project developers and non-governmental organizations shared their comments on environmental issues and proposed projects for their communities. 

The NADBank Board of Directors is formed by 10 members, with the heads of the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State and the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the United States and by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for Mexico, as well as border state and resident representatives from both countries.