Sunland Park leadership brought the environmental health needs of southern New Mexico to the forefront of international policy discussions at the 94th Ordinary Meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee for the Improvement of Air Quality in the Paso del Norte Region.

The binational summit brought together federal, state, and local environmental authorities to address shared air quality challenges across Ciudad Juárez, El Paso, and Doña Ana County. Sunland Park Mayor Pro Tem Raul T. Telles Jr. served as a committee Co-Chair, delivering opening remarks alongside regional leaders and opening a dialogue that directly impacts local neighborhoods.

Sunland Park occupies a unique geographic position where public health is tied directly to cross-border environmental conditions. By holding a leadership seat at this table, the city ensures that the specific air quality concerns of Doña Ana County residents are heard by decision-makers at the highest levels, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mexico’s Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the New Mexico Environment Department. This active representation allows the city to advocate for equitable environmental protections, resource allocation, and monitoring systems that protect the health of local families.

The meeting agenda included evaluations of regional air quality reports and strategic planning for future binational funding opportunities. Through continued collaboration with the Joint Advisory Committee, Sunland Park remains committed to data-driven environmental solutions and transparent regional communication. Residents can access the full proceedings, regional data, and future meeting updates through the Joint Advisory Committee portals.

The Joint Advisory Committee will announce its next meeting date and open the application window for regional air quality excellence initiatives later this year.