Russia - Latin America Economic Cooperation: Insights from EU - CELAC Sustainable Development Concept

The article considers cooperation patterns between the European Union (EU) and CELAC (Community of Latin America and the Caribbean) in the context of creatively applying this experience to a broader topic of Russia - Latin America multilevel cooperation. The concept of sustainable development, which implies interaction in accordance with its three main dimensions: environmental, social and economic, is adopted on the global level. The interaction between EU and CELAC contributes to the progress in achieving the goals of sustainable development, where a lot of attention is paid to the green economy, alternative energy, and social aspects, since the environmental aspects constraints are providing the most significant impetus to structural changes in the existing development paradigm. This in return is expected to create a model that ensures economic growth based on a green economy, alternative energy, with greater equality and social inclusiveness. At supranational level in the European Union an effective and systemic policy has been formed in the field of nature conservation and combating climate change, which without a doubt can be considered one of the most progressive ones in the world, which creates potential for sharing these experiences with less developed and fortunate nations. European programs for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries have become an important factor in the development of interregional cooperation in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and countering natural disasters. The article also focuses on the most recent changes that have occurred in the sphere of interaction between CELAC and EU in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Massive structural and conceptual changes that have seriously reshaped the priorities and funding of joint programmers between two organizations reflects new priorities for sustainable development in general when it comes to new world realities in post-pandemic world, and could be useful for Russian model for the relations with this region.

Międzyrządowy wymiar polsko-rosyjskiej współpracy transgranicznej i międzyregionalnej

This article offers a presentation of the Polish-Russian cross-border and interregional cooperation at the intergovernmental level. To this end, it refers to specific international documents on the basis of which three Polish- Russian institutions have been established to coordinate this area of cooperation. In addition to a conceptual framework outlined, the text includes a short historical outline to help the reader trace the beginnings and development of the Polish-Russian cross-border and interregional cooperation in the adopted approach. When describing the activities of intergovernmental councils and commissions, the author draws attention to their positions in the central administration and their structures, listing specific areas of mutual cooperation. The presentation ends with an attempt to evaluate the activities of the said bodies and the search for new perspectives in the context of the upcoming thirtieth anniversary of the agreement on cross-border cooperation with Russia.

Interregional cooperation in the Russian Federation in the post-COVID reality: challenges and prospects

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously distorted the public administration systems around the world. In certain countries, like the Russian Federation, the pandemic has triggered different responses by authorities on a regional level. This article argues that the lack of the interregional coordination has exacerbated the negative effects of the pandemic both on the economic development and the well-being of citizens. The goal of this research is to search for ways to improve interregional cooperation in crises of interregional scale and importance. The main hypothesis is that the lack of interregional coordination leads to ineffective crisis management and unnecessarily prolongs the recovery process. Retrospective, statistical and comparative analysis have been used to test this hypothesis. On the example of Russia, the system of crisis management coordination on the interregional level is introduced and explained. The results of this research can be used for public policy in Russia and other federal states as well as to study coordination mechanisms on a supranational level.

Provinces with transitions in industrial structure and energy mix performed best in climate change mitigation in China

China has announced its goal of reaching carbon neutrality before 2060, which will be challenging because the country is still on a path towards peak carbon emissions in approximately 2030. Carbon emissions in China did decline from 2013 to 2016, following a continuous increase since the turn of the century. Here we evaluate regional efforts and motivations in promoting carbon emission reduction during this period. Based on a climate change mitigation index, we pinpoint the leading and lagging provinces in emission reduction. The results show that achievements in industrial transition and non-fossil fuel development determined the leading provinces. Thus, the recommended solution for carbon neutrality in China is to promote the transformation of industrial structure and energy mix. In addition, policymakers should be alert to the path of energy outsourcing to reduce carbon emissions. Consumption-based emissions accounting and interregional cooperation are suggested to motivate developed regions to take more responsibility for climate change mitigation.

The Role Of Local Self-Government Bodies In Prospective Areas Of Regional Development

The article is devoted to determining the priority directions of local self-government bodies’ activity in the development of regions. Local self-government bodies are public entities that are empowered to deal with issues that are relevant to the well-being of the respective territorial community. Protecting the interests of the local community is a key objective of local self-government. The reform of local self-government in Ukraine is currently underway, the main purpose of which is decentralization of state power with the provision of territorial communities with resources and the mobilization of their internal reserves to provide the population with an adequate level of services. Such a goal could be achieved through effective local government action on regional development. The article analyzes the normative and legal support of the capacities of local self-government bodies to determine the priority opportunities for the development of regions and to provide support for such development. It is established that the local self-government bodies in determining the priority directions of development of the regions should take into account various factors such as: geographical, demographic, personnel, environmental, economic, historical and cultural. Attention is drawn to the need for a comprehensive approach to the analysis of such factors by local governments. The article analyzes a number of factors that have a negative impact on the current state of regional development. The directions of activity of local self-government bodies to avoid or minimize the consequences of such influence on the development of regions are suggested. It has been established that local governments can use tax, information, innovation and other measures of influence in order to stimulate priority directions of regional development. The emphasis is placed on the role of local authorities in the development of tourist attractiveness of regions, in particular in the field of international and interregional cooperation as a means of forming a positive image of the regions, providing information and financial support for the development of this area of regional development.

ANALYSIS OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of the article is to study the aspects of cross-border cooperation, analyzing the existing situation, barriers and difficulties in cross-border cooperation in the context of sustainable development. To carry out the research, the following methods were used: general scientific methods, in particular: generalization methods – for researching the essence and features of cross-border cooperation; systematization method – to determine the types of formation and implementation of interregional cooperation; Today, despite the development priorities and the main measures highlighted, there are a number of discouraging elements in practice. These are hidden in cross-border imbalances (social, technological and economic potential; information resources; human and social capital; institutional rules, laws and procedures), which do not allow for a long time further socio-economic development problems. The study of the development of European programs for regional development and cross-border economic cooperation allows to determine the important role of the institutional component of sustainable development, which has an effective impact on the environment of cross-border imbalances. The results of the study aim to develop the practice of cross-border cooperation in the context of cross-border imbalances in the context of sustainable development.

Tools of Interregional Cooperation in the Public Administration System

Introduction. The development of modern Russia is characterized by a high degree of differentiation in the level of socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Interregional cooperation is one of the tools to overcome this differentiation. Although new forms of such cooperation have been emerging, its potential remains underestimated. The purpose of the study is to analyze the existing and prospective forms of cooperation between the regions of Russia. Materials and Methods. The study based on a structural and substantive analysis of regulatory legal acts of the federal and regional levels, as well as on strategic planning documents, various forms of budget reporting, bilateral and multilateral agreements between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation aimed at identifying various areas, tools and mechanisms for ensuring interregional cooperation. Results. The authors have considered the tools of interregional cooperation that involve direct financial participation of regional authorities or economic entities. The role and prospects of horizontal subsidies and budget loans provided by one region to another have been identified, their legal and regulatory justification has been given; a financial assessment has been made, and the identified practices have been analyzed. In terms of the implementation of public procurement from suppliers based in other regions, the authors have estimated the degree of how closed or open the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are. Discussion and Conclusion. The authors have confirmed the idea that interregional cooperation in Russia is still underdeveloped and lacks legislative and scientific-methodological justification. The authors also assess the prospects for further development of interregional cooperation in Russia and suggest a number of measures to promote it. The results of the study can be used in the interests of the authorities to improve the system of regulation of various mechanisms of regional cooperation, as well as to develop the scientific potential in this area.

Prospects for the improvement of interregional cooperation in Russia (based on the example of the Siberian regions)

In the Russian Federation, interregional cooperation is limited, which negatively affects regional development and contributes to growing regional disparities. The goal of this research is to gain better understanding for slow and inconsistent development of interregional relations in Russia. The main hypothesis is that the lack of proper coordination and communication between the federal and regional levels of government, between regions themselves, as well as between regional authorities and other stakeholders in regions’ development is one of the key problems that hampers development of interregional cooperation in contemporary Russia. Retrospective, statistical, and content analysis were used to test this hypothesis. The analysis of the federal policy toward regional development since 1990 has shown gradual increase in centralisation of authority. The regional policy stimulated interregional competition and dependence on federal investments and subsidies. Nevertheless, the study of strategic plans of Siberian regions shows that with proper coordination and communication between interested parties some of the problems inhibiting interregional cooperation can be resolved. Better coordination, in turn, requires improvement of the institutional infrastructure. The findings are relevant for policy makers and scholars in the field of regional development. Further research is needed concerning the most efficient forms of coordination institutions.