By: Rajlaxmi Deshmukh, GSDN

American President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in the 10^th edition of the North American Leaders Summit also called as the Three Amigos Meet, hosted by Mexico from 9^th to 10^th January 2023.

It is a trilateral summit held to increase communication and coordination between these nations and address issues of mutual interest. This continental-level dialogue promotes a common vision of North America along with that it ensures inclusive growth and prosperity. The summit also facilitates deepening economic ties, increased investment, innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.

Trade, security, migration, climate change, economic cooperation, and drugs were the main themes of this summit.

During the 10^th North American Summit, the leaders signed a joint statement, Declaration of North America which is based on 6 pillars –

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
2. Climate Change and the environment
3. Competitiveness
4. Migration and development
5. Health
6. Regional Security

Based on the first pillar the nations would work together to protect civil rights, promote social justice and protect the LGBTQIA+ community.

These countries would also coordinate towards rapid measures to tackle climate change by reducing methane emissions by 15% by 2030 from 2020 levels, under the USA’s Global Methane pledge. They together would also work for a joint transit decarbonization toolkit. A seamless EV charging experience would be provided to the people by installing EV chargers along international borders. They have also pledged to conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 and develop a clean hydrogen market.

A safe and humane migration would be ensured under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and also address the issue of illegal drug trafficking.  

The North American countries would organize 1^st trilateral semiconductor forum, it is a strategically significant industry as it is used in every electrical gadget, this forum would eventually reduce the dependence on Asia for eg- Taiwan, and would also develop a workforce for the semiconductor, ICT, and biomanufacturing industries. 

To deal with the availability and reserves of critical minerals, trilateral geological surveys would be held. For the development of students, a public-private partnership model named the North American Student mobility project would be implemented as well. There would be an increase in humanitarian aid to help people around the globe, taking into consideration the current Russia-Ukraine war or the Haiti crisis.

Along with this summit, bilateral meetings were also arranged which lead to the adoption of the Canada- Mexico Action plan which would deal in areas such as investment, gender equality, indigenous reconciliation, etc.

A renewed roadmap for the US-Canada partnership was put forth which would deal with mutual issues such semiconductor industry, supply chain, and critical mineral reserves.

This trilateral summit also called the Three Amigos Summit showcased a united front despite having tensions on the issues of migration and drug trafficking. Establishing regional security by increasing maritime cooperation, addressing illegal migration, and strengthening border security. The Summit dealt with a wide range of issues and has helped to build mutual trust among these nations which would benefit the region, the nations, and its people.