Intergovernmental Bodies Research Articles

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and peaceful conflict resolution: international legal and political analysis

The study was focused on examining the legal status of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and determining its role in international relations within the OSCE region. The fact that this body is not part of the OSCE’s intergovernmental system, but is an independent international entity actively involved in international affairs, gives this research a specific scientific nuance and significance. There are few scientific studies in the international doctrine dedicated to this topic, especially with an emphasis on its international legal issues. One of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s priority areas is promoting peaceful conflict resolution through parliamentary diplomacy. However, parliamentary diplomacy, unlike traditional diplomacy, possesses unique characteristics and comparatively fewer opportunities for resolving serious international problems. Nevertheless, by enhancing the connectivity of the OSCE PA with the OSCE’s intergovernmental bodies through the efforts of parliamentarians in this direction, in our opinion, it will be possible to significantly increase the OSCE PA’s role in peaceful conflict resolution. The fact that parliamentarians are members of the legislative body and consequently participate in discussions and enactment of laws predetermines their role as qualified individuals who potentially can play a more significant role in the development of international law compared to professional diplomats. Thus, the goal of this study is to explore the potential of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in peacefully resolving conflicts from the perspective of international law and international politics, and to identify negative factors that hinder the more productive activity of this parliamentary body. According to the research findings, the activities of parliamentarians within the OSCE PA can bring considerable benefits not only for the peaceful resolution of specific conflicts but also for the entire OSCE dispute settlement system through the development of carefully considered projects of international legal documents in this area.

Navigating Conflicting Incentives: Discursive Strategies of Political Parties in Germany’s Cooperative Federalism

Abstract Federal systems create complex institutional settings that foster and encourage cooperation while also enabling self-serving and even opportunistic political behavior. Focusing on parliamentary discourses, we argue that political parties can navigate these conflicting incentives skillfully, employing a set of five distinct discursive strategies that integrate both the need for cooperation and the possibility of self-interest. Leveraging a qualitative content analysis of 212 German parliamentary debates and 4,524 manually coded statements, we demonstrate that the use of these discursive strategies is shaped by parties’ level of integration into federal institutions. The data reveal that parties which are more strongly involved in intergovernmental bodies uphold a more cooperative discourse, while refraining from confrontational strategies toward federal institutions and actors. We also find that the linkage between the vertically integrated party system, which incentivizes co-partisans to stick together across levels and constituent units, and multiparty coalition governments, counteracts federal blame games.

Some Trends in EAEU Cooperation with Latin-Caribbean America

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is a rapidly developing integration structure. Its main priority in activities is economic development, even more precisely, trade. At the same time, at the beginning of its activities, the main attention of the member states of the association was focused on the development of domestic trade. The creation of a customs union and a single economic space basically solved this problem. The current development of the structure, in accordance with the global trend, was the expansion of trade relations with border, regional and non-regional partners. Thus, there is a process of integration of integrations, i.e. interaction at the level of integration structures and individual states. Since the EAEU’s main activity is the economy, first of all, we are talking about the creation of Free Trade Zones (FTAs).Aim. The purpose of the article is to identify the dynamics and directions of the development of relations between the EAEU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.Tasks. Consider the main trends and stages of interaction between the LACB countries and the EAEU; identify new directions for the development of Eurasian integration.Methods. The use of a systematic approach made it possible to analyze integration processes taking into account various directions. The method of historical and comparative analysis was used to compare the concepts of the development of integration. Situational analysis made it possible to demonstrate the dynamics of the development of Eurasian integration and the formation of interaction with external actors.The sociological approach made it possible to consider as a special variety of international structures with the characteristics of both intergovernmental bodies and organizations.Results. Against the background of the development of economic interaction, new areas of interaction have been identified.Conclusions. In the current third stage of cooperation between the EAEU and the LKA, the element of political communication of the organization’s information function is strengthened, which is a response to the political crisis on the one hand, and on the other, opposition to Western sanctions in terms of attempts to isolate Russia in the world.

From science-policy interface to science-policy panel: The United Nations’ strengthening of the sustainable life cycle management of chemicals

In recent years, the chemical production and waste generation have been rapidly increasing, presenting substantial hazards to the ecosystem and human well-being. To address this issue, a series of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) have been developed internationally, that provide essential decision-making support for the appropriate governance of chemicals and wastes in the participating countries. MEAs have established subsidiary bodies known as science-policy interface (SPI) institutions to provide evidence-based support and scientific assessments for environmental policies. However, the existing SPIs face limitations that hinder their ability to tackle the obstacles presented by the vast quantities of chemicals and wastes currently found in the environment. Therefore, the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly made the decision to establish a science-policy panel to promote the effective management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (SPP-CWP). This panel is intended to be an independent intergovernmental body, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The United Nations Environment Programme convened an ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) to design strategies for the SPP-CWP. Since 2022, three OEWG meetings have been conducted, and draft documents outlining the panel's scope, functions, operational principles, conflict of interest policy, institutional setup, work processes, and procedures have been formulated. In this article, we analyzed the background and development of the SPP-CWP and provided updates regarding the progress of the panel's establishment. We also suggested future trends for the SPP-CWP. We concluded that SPP-CWP will be a comprehensive and authoritative international body, providing policymakers with exhaustive reports, consequently strengthening the capacity of life cycle management of chemicals. Thus, the panel will effectively reduce or prevent waste production and pollution, promote material circulation, and minimize resource consumption, making significant contributions to the establishment of a circular economy and an environmentally friendly society.

OPTIMIZING PROJECT TIMELINES: THE IMPACT OF E-PROCUREMENT IN ACCELERATING PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS IN NIGERIA

Purpose: E-procurement is recognized globally as a tool for enhancing efficiency and transparency, with major intergovernmental bodies advocating its adoption. This study investigates the impact of electronic procurement (e-procurement) on project completion times in the Nigerian public sector. The research focuses on e-tendering, e-invoicing, and e-sourcing, hypothesizing their effects on project completion times. Theoretical Framework: The study employs a conceptual framework highlighting the interplay between e-procurement practices and government policies. Theoretical frameworks, including Innovation Diffusion Theory and Technology Acceptance Theory guided the study. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to collect primary data from 361 procurement staff from four agencies in Abuja using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results indicate a positive relationship between e-procurement practices and project completion times, with e-invoicing having the most significant impact. However, the introduction of government e-procurement policies as a variable diminishes the individual effects of e-tendering, e-invoicing, and e-sourcing. Research, Practical & Social Implications: The study established a positive relationship between electronic procurement practices and project completion times, with higher implementation levels resulting in shorter project durations. However, organizations should evaluate their impact, balance oversight and efficiency. Originality/Value: By focusing specifically on the Nigerian public sector, testing clearly defined e-procurement elements, collecting robust primary data, and generating new context-specific evidence, this study makes an original, timely and valuable contribution to knowledge on the impact of e-procurement adoption.

Investigating the agriculture-induced environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in South Asian economies

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to investigate the agriculture-induced environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in South Asian economies (SAE).Design/methodology/approachThis study employs econometric techniques, including Westerlund cointegration tests, cross-sectional augmented distributive lag model (CS-ARDL) and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (DH) causality tests to investigate the relationship between renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, agriculture, economic growth, financial development and carbon emissions in SAE from 1990 to 2019.FindingsThe CS-ARDL test outcome supports the presence of the agriculture-induced EKC hypothesis in SAE. Additionally, through the application of the DH causality test, the study confirms a unidirectional causality running from renewable energy consumption (REC), fossil fuel consumption (FFC), economic growth (GDP) and squared economic growth (GDP2) to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study proposes that future research should extend comparisons to worldwide intergovernmental bodies, use advanced econometric methodologies for accurate estimates, and investigate incorporating the service or primary sector into the EKC. Such multidimensional studies can inform various methods for mitigating global climate change and ensuring ecological sustainability.Originality/valueEnvironmental degradation has been extensively studied in different regions and countries, but SAE face significant constraints in addressing this issue, and comprehensive studies in this area are scarce. This research is pioneering as it is the first study to investigate the applicability of the agriculture-induced EKC in the South Asian region. By filling this gap in the current literature, the study provides valuable insights into major SAE and their environmental challenges.

A case for the moral duty of specific human germline genetic engineering

Abstract Germline gene editing (GGE) is a controversial procedure, prohibited by most intergovernmental and scientific bodies and is not currently medically utilized. However, given circumstances where GGE would be essential for human survival, it is possible that GGE could be ideal, ethical and even necessary. One such possible instance of this circumstance could be long-term presence of humans on other planets. In our paper, we point out that there is a strong case for genetically modifying humans, including through GGE, for a future settlement in space directed at preserving human (and other) species. To avoid unnecessarily suffering and death from such difficult missions and environments, GGE enhancements should be considered, although only if shown to be safe, well-regulated and efficacious. We also examine and detail how major ethical frameworks can be shown to support, rather than prohibit, such procedures.

Толкование правовых категорий «презумпция невиновности» и «разумный срок судебного разбирательства» в практике межгосударственных органов по правам человека (сравнительный анализ)

The presumption of innocence and a reasonable time of trial are the fundamental guarantees of a person who is a participant in criminal proceedings. The comparative legal analysis examines the legal positions of intergovernmental human rights bodies regarding such elements of the right to a fair trial as the «presumption of innocence» and the «reasonable time of trial».

Unraveling the driving factors of the plastic waste trade network formation and dynamics

International trade of plastic waste promotes the global plastic circular economy and improves resource efficiency, but exacerbates the ubiquitous plastic pollution. Understanding the drivers behind the evolution of the global plastic waste trade network (GPWTN) is pivotal for developing new international instruments to end plastic pollution and fostering clean solid-waste trade. Employing social network analysis (SNA) and quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) model, this study structures the GPWTN using bilateral trade data, revealing shifts from highly centralized to cross-layered networks and relevant drivers. It is suggested that Malaysia and Turkey has become the new key recipients of the GPWTN, replacing China, accompanied by the launch of new environmental regulations in some countries. Transportation cost is the most critical factor for the formation of the GPWTN, followed by gaps in resource demand, bio-based resource availability, and transportation accessibility. Trading partners in closer proximity, especially those with contiguous borders, are more likely to trade in waste plastics, while coastal countries play an important role in these partnerships. Economies with more abundant biomaterials, higher incomes, and greater environmental burdens are more likely to be exporters, while economies with scarcer resources and more compelling demands are more likely to import plastic waste. Countries involved in the trade in plastic waste, as either importers or exporters, receive varying degrees of economic benefits but bear potential environmental impacts. Therefore, global plastic pollution control and trade prosperity necessitates necessitate coordinated endeavors from nations and intergovernmental bodies for a mutually advantageous denouement.

Attributing blame: how political parties in Germany leverage cooperative federalism

This study investigates how political parties used the federal structure of government for discursive blame attribution strategies in parliamentary debates during the Covid-19 crisis. The analysis focuses on the German case which is considered an embodiment of cooperative federalism. Largely intertwined responsibilities and joint decision making provide incentives for self-serving blame attribution strategies. The empirical investigation includes a qualitative content analysis of 212 parliamentary debates in the Bundestag and the 16 state parliaments. Overall, 2067 statements were manually coded and integrated into a novel dataset. The data reveal a more diverse discursive toolkit of blame attribution strategies than commonly conceptualised. The study demonstrates that parties, especially when they are involved in intergovernmental bodies and coalition governments, resort to ‘softer’ forms of blaming. The vertical integration of the party system also creates an effective blame barrier, containing self-serving strategies even during the prolonged crisis and several election campaigns.

First Record of Cetacean Killed in an Artisanal Fish Aggregating Device in the Mediterranean Sea.

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are anchored floating structures often made with cheap scrapped materials and used to aggregate pelagic fish species under their artificial shadows. Globally, the dangerous impact of FADs is well known. They pose a severe threat as a source of bycatch, as a danger to navigation, and with their high potential to become marine litter. Unintended entanglement and consequent mortality in FADs of vulnerable (e.g., sharks, sea turtles, and cetaceans) and commercial species is a serious concern for several international inter-governmental bodies (e.g., EU, GFCM, and IWC). This work describes the first case of a cetacean, a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), entangled in a FAD in the Mediterranean Sea. A young male of striped dolphins was found dead along the coast of Lazio (central Tyrrhenian Sea) with its peduncle entangled in typical debris from illegal/artisanal FADs (i.e., a nylon rope, teared gardening plastic sheets, bush branches, and scrapped empty plastic bottles). Although this is the first confirmed case of a cetacean entangled in a FAD in Mediterranean waters, given the extent of the deployment of anchored FADs, the scale of this type of interaction with protected species might be seriously underestimated. Therefore, actions and monitoring need to be implemented urgently to effectively protect and conserve marine biodiversity.

Comparing Pesticide Regulations: What can Belgium (EU) and Washington State (US) Learn from One Another?

On a global scale, pesticide use has almost doubled since 1990, with the world market expected to reach $130 billion by the end of 2023. With a rapidly growing world population, the use of pesticides, also called plant protection products (PPP), has played an important role in increasing crop yields to ensure adequate food availability. In the early 1960s, growing concern and awareness about the potential for PPP to non-specifically affect the surrounding ecosystem led to a growing field of resistance. Governmental and intergovernmental bodies have since placed sustainable agricultural practices at the top of their agendas, leading to the use of PPP becoming an increasingly controversial topic of discussion. This policy analysis broadly describes PPP regulation systems in the US and the EU by providing historic accounts of key policy developments of PPP use and their regulations. A direct comparison between regulatory systems for PPP in the US and in the EU is then explored. Washington State and Belgium were chosen as case studies in order to provide a more detailed look into the complexities of such systems and allow for a comparative approach to examine the opportunities and challenges for policy changes. Additionally, suggestions as to what the EU and the US entities can learn from one another to improve the respective PPP regulation systems are investigated. Finally, the analysis explores the potential of strengthening transatlantic cooperation through the establishment of an intergovernmental framework that deals with collection of scientific evidence on PPP and their use. As a result, this analysis acts as a tool for policymakers to better comprehend the different approaches to PPP regulation in the US and the EU as the need to feed the growing world population becomes more urgent, all while safeguarding human and ecosystem health through well-informed policies on PPP use.

Региональная безопасность в Центральной Азии в условиях возвращения талибов к власти: вызовы и угрозы, сценарии развития

Introduction. The article focuses on reconstructing the major parameters of the complex of challenges and threats to post-Soviet Central Asia regional security that has emerged in the wake of or in direct connection with the radical change of the situation in Afghanistan after August 2021. These challenges and threats have developed across several functional and territorial dimensions and require a comprehensive analysis followed by the building of scenarios for their evolution. Methods and materials. The research relies on the regional security complex theory developed by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever. The methodological toolkit includes external indirect observation, political descriptive and historical genetic methods, scenario building. The research materials include official statements, news briefs, expert opinions, periodicals, academic papers. Analysis. The authors have analyzed the geostrategic, regional-strategic, regional-economic, and regional-societal dimensions of the challenges and threats to Central Asian regional security generated by the changes in Afghanistan and have built scenarios of their evolution. The major geostrategic challenge is the exacerbation of U.S. – Chinese contradictions centered on the influence of the Taliban factions. The key regional-strategic threat is the risk of the Afghan conflict spilling over into Tajikistan or Turkmenistan. The regional-economic challenges include the risks of blocking trans-Afghan transport, pipeline, and electricity transmission projects. The regional-societal risks consist of the dissemination of radical Islamist ideologies from Afghanistan throughout Central Asia. The two basic scenarios of the regional security evolution are inertia or a resumption of a full-scale civil war in Afghanistan. Results. The authors have worked out sets of recommendations for regional policymakers and the intergovernmental bodies whose functions include maintaining security and stability in Central Asia. Authors’ contribution. A.E. Dzhorobekova has developed the general concept of the article and organized the research. E.F. Troitskiy has focused on the analysis of threats and challenges to regional security. S.M. Yun has developed scenarios for regional security situations. A.G. Timoshenko has formulated the relevant recommendations.

Regulating Brain–Computer Interfaces: Ensuring Soft Law Does Not Go Flat

Novel neurotechnologies such as brain-computer interfaces aim to offer new treatment options for those suffering with mental or neurological diseases or defects. At the same time, legal tools to regulate and manage these advancements remain underdeveloped in light of various policy challenges. Soft law mechanisms are likely one valuable tool for early management of the development of BCIs. These mechanisms should be flexible enough to grow with the technology as well as be hardened into binding law if necessary. These softer tools will need to be guided by standards and code of conducts that respect the privacy, agency, identity, and dignity of individuals and communities. Here we review three examples – across intergovernmental, civil society, and standard-setting bodies – illustrating the development of early mechanisms to manage BCIs. While these are important first steps, we argue stakeholders must now look to ways to actively, rather than passively, monitor and evaluate outcomes under these soft legal instruments.

Terrorism, insurgency economy, and human security in Borno state, Nigeria

Terrorism is designed is to create sense of public insecurity, showcase State’s inability to arrest violence, and it is severally oiled by an insurgency economy that benefits all stakeholders except the masses as seen in Borno State in the northeast of Nigeria. Terrorism could be seen jeopardizing human security extensively and pushing children outside the literacy nets, into vulnerability of recruitment and radicalization and same goes for the farming communities whose produce are extensively endangered by terror cell groups’ heinous campaign in Borno State. It was against this background that this study engaged criminal deterrence theory to examine terrorism and its implication for security of Borno State. This study decompose insecurity into food security and education security. This study employs exploratory research design with reliance on publicly available archive documents. The study relies solely on secondary data. The research is conducted by examining literature concerning terrorism and human security. Literature from non-serial publications, official reports, and conferences has been included particularly if they have been cited by other references in connection with terrorism, food security, education security and terror cell groups. Findings from this study showed that activities of terror cell groups negatively affect education security and food security. This study concluded that there is the need for governments across board to identify and dislodge the insurgency economy profiting and prolonging the insurgency. This study therefore recommends that Borno state government in conjunction with intergovernmental bodies should consolidate further the Safe School Initiatives to further ensure safety of “at risk schools”. This study also recommends that the government across board should conscientiously stem the farming and market vulnerability of the farming community and prevent looming food insecurity.

Overcoming Challenges to Open Research Practices – A Perspective From the Global South: A Commentary on “(Why) Are Open Research Practices the Future for the Study of Language Learning?”

Overcoming Challenges to Open Research Practices – A Perspective From the Global South: A Commentary on “(Why) Are Open Research Practices the Future for the Study of Language Learning?”

Diplomatic response to global health challenges in recognizing patient needs: A qualitative interview study.

Global health diplomacy is the applied practice of foreign affairs to further national goals that focus on health issues requiring international cooperation and collective action. We aimed to determine how international diplomats and health policy-related professionals in the EU understand the concept of health diplomacy, which impacts both diplomatic relations as well as patients' rights. In a qualitative interview study, we used a heterogeneous stratified purposeful sampling to reach participants from different countries and different practitioners from the Pyramid of Health Diplomacy: core, multi-stakeholder, and informal. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify the main themes. We contacted 131 practitioners of GHD, of which 37 responded, and nine agreed to be interviewed. From 11 interview questions, four main themes emerged from the analysis of the individual interview. The participants reported limited knowledge about the definition of GHD but also that they engaged in daily activities and decisions of inter-governmental bodies. They were not aware of existing special education and training for health attachés and made suggestions for improving the field and practice of GHD. They were not fully familiar with the European Charter of Patients' Rights. There was a consensus from all participants that patient rights need to improve as a fundamental right. They stressed the fact that the hospital lockdown and the right access to healthcare were impaired during the COVID pandemic. The role of health diplomacy in linking public health and foreign affairs is key to respecting patients' rights. Health over other interests is becoming an increasingly critical element in foreign policy. Establishing a clear career path for health attachés is necessary to foster effective global health agreements and coordination across countries.

Topical Issues of Application of Decisions of Interstate Human Rights Bodies in Criminal Proceedings of the Russian Federation

The paper deals with the implementation of international standards for the protection of individual rights in criminal proceedings consolidated in the decisions of judicial and quasi-judicial intergovernmental human rights bodies. The author gives a characteristic of the main stages of interaction of the legal system of the Russian Federation with the system of international standards, perceived through the practice of the ECHR. The paper examines features of the execution of the ECHR acts after the Russian Federation withdrew from the Council of Europe. The article analyzes the legal foundations of the activities and legal properties of acts of quasi-judicial bodies of the United Nations in the context of the grounds for reviewing national judicial decisions in criminal cases. On the basis of Russian judicial practice, the legal model of sentence review based on international judicial and quasi-judicial acts is analyzed: the stable characteristics of this model are determined, the patterns of implementation of acts of quasi-judicial bodies of the United Nations in Russian judicial practice in criminal cases are described, the factors requiring improvement of this model are analyzed. It is concluded that the existing model of regulation of these relations is based on insufficiently clear provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation in their interpretation by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. This model does not fully take into account the specifics of individual legal acts of interstate human rights bodies. In conclusion, the article proposes the author’s concept of the reform of the model of resuming criminal proceedings in connection with these acts of interstate human rights bodies. As one of the conclusions, the paper notes that at the present stage of the development of criminal procedure, legislation and the practice of its application in the Russian Federation, the issues of implementation in domestic law of international human rights treaties through the execution of decisions of their control (judicial and quasi-judicial) mechanisms with competence to consider individual reports of victims of alleged violations of these treaties remain relevant.

Research on the Advisory Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a sovereign intergovernmental judicial body of the United Nations for the settlement of international disputes, and the jurisdiction of the ICJ, as one of the main means for the ICJ to exercise criminal jurisdiction, includes both contentious and advisory jurisdiction. Among them, the advisory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice is far less effective and influential than the contentious jurisdiction, but as a supplement to the contentious jurisdiction, it still has an important influence on the settlement of international disputes in the international field. In order to solve disputes in the international community and give full play to the role of international law, we need to continuously explore the realistic path to improve the advisory jurisdiction system of the ICJ. With our country, we can also promote the guarantee and realization of the advisory jurisdiction of the ICJ and promote the peaceful settlement of international disputes by increasing the degree of participation in the exercise of jurisdiction of the ICJ and playing the responsibility of superpowers.

PROBLEMS OF USING AUTONOMOUS MILITARY AI AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF RUSSIA'S MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE

The application of modern technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) in all spheres of human life is growing exponentially alongside concern for its controllability. The lack of public, state, and international control over AI technologies creates large-scale risks of using such software and hardware that (un)intentionally harm humanity. The events of recent month and years, specifically regarding the Russian Federation’s war against its democratic neighbour Ukraine and other international conflicts of note, support the thesis that the uncontrolled use of AI, especially in the military sphere, may lead to deliberate disregard for the moral standards of controlled AI or the spontaneous emergence of aggressive autonomous AI. The development of legal regulation for the use of technologies with AI is prolonged concerning the rapid development of these artefacts, which simultaneously cover all areas of public relations. Therefore, control over the creation and use of AI should be carried out not only by purely technical regulation (e.g., technical standards and conformance assessments, corporate and developer regulations, requirements enforced through industry-wide ethical codes); but also by comprehensive legislation and intergovernmental oversight bodies that codify and enforce specific changes in the rights and duties of legal persons. This article shall present the “Morality Problem” and “Intentionality Problem” of AI, and reflect upon various lacunae that arise when implementing AI for military purposes.