Interregional Cooperation Research Articles

EVOLUTION AND INTEGRATION OF INTEGRATED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

In connection with the approval by the Government of the Russian Federation of the legislative changes of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, which allow the creation of unified-type institutions in the penitentiary system, the author of the article considers conceptual, legislative and law enforcement aspects, starting from the historical aspect of its emergence and development in the 1990s in the USSR and ending with modern approaches to the integration of different types of penitentiary institutions. The main categories of multiregime are analyzed, and the prospects for the development and implementation of technological innovations in the penitentiary system are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the economic justification and feasibility of creating unified-type institutions, as well as organizing mixed institutions on the basis of interregional cooperation. Possibilities of standardization and expansion of successful practices in the field of penitentiary system are presented.

Analysis of the Quality of Economic Growth in Districts/Cities in East Java

The purpose of this study is to analyze the quality of economic growth of districts/cities in East Java using the Williamson index method and SWOT analysis.The Williamson Index is used to measure inequality and income distribution between counties/cities, and SWOT analysis is used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that impact regional economic growth.The study collects secondary data on regional gross domestic product (GRDP), per capita income, and other relevant variables from various public sources.The results show that there are significant differences in the quality of economic growth between districts/cities in East Java, with some regions showing strong and inclusive growth, while others show greater economic disparity. Shown.The SWOT analysis shows that internal factors such as infrastructure, human resources, and innovation, as well as external factors such as government policies and global economic conditions, play an important role in determining the quality of economic growth in the region.I am. Based on these findings, this study aims to improve the quality of economic growth in East Java, including increasing investment in education and infrastructure, strengthening interregional cooperation, and developing innovation and technology-based economic sectors. We recommend an integrated strategy.

CIS Cross-Border Libraries: Updating the Concept Paper to Strengthen Co-Operation

The experience of the Russian State Library in cooperation with the libraries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states in developing a document regulating cross-border co-operation is presented. It shows the stages of updating the “Concept of Information and Library Space Formation on the Basis of Cross-border Libraries of the CIS Member States” (2009) within the framework of the long-term interstate project of the Eurasia Library Assembly on creation of the normative and conceptual basis of interlibrary cooperation in the CIS. The “Concept...” is harmonised with the universally recognised principles and norms of international law. It reflects the process of inclusion of libraries of border regions of CIS member states in co-operation with libraries of neighbouring countries. Specialists of CIS libraries took an active part in the development of the document. The Concept of Development of Library and Information Space on the Basis of Cross-Border Libraries of CIS Member States (2023) clarifies the purpose and some basic concepts related to the activities of libraries in cross-border cooperation. The definition of “library and information space on the basis of cross-border libraries of the CIS member states” was developed, which is considered as a system of interacting subjects — libraries, library networks, library associations, library staff. The aim of library and information space development is to provide conditions for strengthening interregional and cross-border co-operation. Libraries create and promote various information resources, organise library and information services for the multinational population of border areas to enhance intercultural and professional communication. In the document 2023 the possibilities of subjects of interlibrary cooperation are expanded at the expense of interregional cooperation. The following are defined as subjects of the library and information space: publicly accessible border libraries of the CIS member states, central universal libraries of the border regions, national libraries of the CIS member states. The updated “Concept...” shows the tasks and principles of development, mechanisms and expected results of its implementation. The role of the CIS coordinating bodies in the formation of legislative and regulatory framework for the libraries of the CIS member states is important. Prospects for improving this base lie in the regulation of interregional and cross-border co-operation. To strengthen cooperation it is necessary to reveal the intercultural potential of the CIS member states, to provide scientific and methodological support to cross-border libraries, etc.

CIS Cross-Border Libraries: Updating the Concept Paper to Strengthen Co-Operation

The experience of the Russian State Library in cooperation with the libraries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states in developing a document regulating cross-border co-operation is presented. It shows the stages of updating the “Concept of Information and Library Space Formation on the Basis of Cross-border Libraries of the CIS Member States” (2009) within the framework of the long-term interstate project of the Eurasia Library Assembly on creation of the normative and conceptual basis of interlibrary cooperation in the CIS. The “Concept...” is harmonised with the universally recognised principles and norms of international law. It reflects the process of inclusion of libraries of border regions of CIS member states in co-operation with libraries of neighbouring countries. Specialists of CIS libraries took an active part in the development of the document. The Concept of Development of Library and Information Space on the Basis of Cross-Border Libraries of CIS Member States (2023) clarifies the purpose and some basic concepts related to the activities of libraries in cross-border cooperation. The definition of “library and information space on the basis of cross-border libraries of the CIS member states” was developed, which is considered as a system of interacting subjects — libraries, library networks, library associations, library staff. The aim of library and information space development is to provide conditions for strengthening interregional and cross-border co-operation. Libraries create and promote various information resources, organise library and information services for the multinational population of border areas to enhance intercultural and professional communication. In the document 2023 the possibilities of subjects of interlibrary cooperation are expanded at the expense of interregional cooperation. The following are defined as subjects of the library and information space: publicly accessible border libraries of the CIS member states, central universal libraries of the border regions, national libraries of the CIS member states. The updated “Concept...” shows the tasks and principles of development, mechanisms and expected results of its implementation. The role of the CIS coordinating bodies in the formation of legislative and regulatory framework for the libraries of the CIS member states is important. Prospects for improving this base lie in the regulation of interregional and cross-border co-operation. To strengthen cooperation it is necessary to reveal the intercultural potential of the CIS member states, to provide scientific and methodological support to cross-border libraries, etc.

Open distance education for teachers in Ukraine: the case of the Ukrainian Open University of Postgraduate Education

The Ukrainian Open University of Postgraduate Education (UOUPE) is a self-governing educational institution that aims to provide distance education for teachers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the integration of Ukraine into the European educational space. The UOUPE is based on a design-transforming nonlinear paradigm and a reflexive-positional approach, enabling a community of progressive educators who can respond to modern challenges and change their learning and professional practices. The paper presents the interregional cooperation project for teachers' professional development, which the UOUPE implements in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy and Adult Education of the Central Institute of Postgraduate Education of the University of Educational Management. The paper also reports the results of the first diagnostic stage of the project, which involved 120 teachers from different regions of Ukraine.

Research and Development of Inland Green and Smart Ship Technologies in China

Nowadays, the development of green and smart ships has become a trend in the global shipping industry. Some countries such as Japan and Korea, as well as several European countries, have already made some progress and advantages. In recent years, China has issued a series of policies to encourage and support the development of green and smart ships. Beyond that, the demonstration of green and smart ships has been promoted along with the trend of larger-sized and standardized inland vessels. The Chinese status and plans of green technologies are summarized including air layer drag reduction, efficient propulsion, DC networking, and clean energy. Some smart technologies have also been illustrated, for instance, intelligent driving, intelligent engine rooms, energy efficiency, hulls, cargo control, and information integration. Smart ship technologies need to be fully validated in order to improve industrialization applications. In the shipping industry, the development and application of smart ship technology need international and inter-regional cooperation, so as to achieve much higher energy savings, ensure environmental protection, achieve collaborative intelligence, and ensure safety and reliability. In turn, this will aid economic advances worldwide.

Impact of the coupling relationship between marine industry and regional development on the marine economy

To investigate the relationship between the marine industry and regional development, and assess its impact on the marine economy. The study creates an evaluation index system for the coupling relationship between the marine economy and regional development. It applies coupling theory and combines the hierarchical analysis method with the entropy weight method to determine the weight of each index. By constructing the coupling degree and coupling coordination degree model, this paper quantitatively analyzes the coupling relationship and applies the coefficient of variation to assess the coordinated development differences between different regions. The study utilized data from the official China Marine Statistical Yearbook. The analysis revealed an upward trend in the coupling degree of the marine economy and regional development during the study period, increasing from 0.58 to 0.72. This indicated a significant strengthening of the interaction and synergistic development between the two. In typical coastal areas, the coupling degree increased from 0.62 to 0.78, indicating the significant contribution of the marine industry to the region's comprehensive economic development. The study proposes policy recommendations to enhance the adjustment of the marine industrial structure and technological innovation, promote inter-regional cooperation and resource sharing, and strengthen marine environmental protection and sustainable resource utilization. These measures aim to promote the development of the marine economy while safeguarding marine resources.

Межрегиональное сотрудничество как инструмент создания благоприятных условий для развития предпринимательства, инноваций и реализации бизнес-проектов

The object of research in the article is interregional cooperation between authorities and business, and the subject of analysis is the forms, directions and tools for the development of interregional cooperation, stimulating the growth of the number of business projects in various territories and the development of new technologies, exchange of experience and ensuring increased competitiveness and promotion of companies in the market. 
 The research methodology was based on the analysis of statistical data, legal documentation, descriptive-comparative method, grouping of criteria and typology of forms and directions of interregional connections, content analysis.
 The result of the analysis was the formation of recommendations for identifying new forms and directions of interregional cooperation that stimulate attracting business to the regions and increasing the efficiency of implementation of business projects.
 The generated results can be used by regional authorities to establish interregional contacts, establish interaction with domestic companies, attract them to the regions and stimulate their advancement into new markets through various support tools.

Inter-organisational Sustainability Cooperation Among European Regions and the Role of Smart Specialisation

AbstractInnovation represents one of the most crucial levers for regional prosperity and sectoral renewal. Additionally, it is applied to address challenges such as a sustainable transition and the battle against climate change. Since innovation is the result of cooperation between different actors with different backgrounds, the topic is increasingly studied from a systemic perspective. Here, not only internal cooperation but also cross-border connections between regions become important. While smart specialisation, a European policy for innovation and cohesion, highlights the role of interregional cooperation, practical manifestations and research on this aspect have remained limited so far. This article addresses this gap by discussing the relevance of interregional cooperation for knowledge creation and presents empirical evidence on cooperation between organisations in different European regions in the field of environmental sustainability. The underlying dataset was constructed from Horizon 2020 (H2020) research projects with Northern Germany as an exemplary set of regions chosen as the core of a social network analysis (SNA). The findings reveal that involvement in interregional projects is concentrated particularly in urban regions and correlates with GDP and population density. On the other hand, also organisations in regions with different structural characteristics are involved in interregional cooperation, and H2020 managed to introduce new cooperation patterns. Finally, the empirical data do not adequately match the regional smart specialisation strategies (S3) which raises questions on updating smart specialisation as a policy.

Asymmetric patterns in territorial cooperation between core and periphery: The participation of Central and Eastern Europe in transnational and interregional cooperation programmes

AbstractThe study deals with the issue of core–periphery relations in the European Union, investigating its patterns in relation to the participation of Central and Eastern European (CEE) member states in European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes between 2007 and 2020. Core–periphery patterns do exist in the European space, where besides the North‐Western core (‘Core’), there are two distinct peripheries, CEE and Southern Europe. The peripheral position is reflected in the weak performance of CEE in European‐wide RDI networks subsidised by the EU. On the basis of the KEEP database, the study analyses the signs of core–periphery relations by identifying whether there is asymmetry in the participation of CEE and Core countries in cooperation projects under the transnational (INTERREG B) and interregional (INTERREG C) strands (together, TI) of ETC. The findings of the study show that there is a significant difference in the forms of involvement of actors from North‐Western Europe and CEE in the TI programmes. Actors from CEE countries are very motivated to become involved in TI projects. However, they are significantly underrepresented in lead partner positions, especially in funding. The study's results suggest that participation activity patterns are significantly asymmetric in TI programmes, showing signs of a core–periphery dynamic even in such place‐based, cohesion‐oriented programmes. The consequence is that the articulation of geographic characteristics, special needs and issues associated with CEE is limited as they play a rather adaptive and imitating role in those territorial cooperation programmes that are influential in discourses and policies about territorial development in the European arena.

Problematics of Inter-Regional Cooperation in Indonesia

This article aims to identify the problems of implementing inter-regional cooperation from the widest possible autonomy perspective. This becomes important because cooperation between regions seems to run well shortly after policies in the form of laws and government regulations are enacted. However, in regional cooperation, many problems lurk and can lead to the failure of cooperation between regions. This research is legal research using a statute approach, a conceptual approach, and a historical approach. This research method and approach are appropriate to explain the problematic phenomenon of cooperation between regions in Indonesia based on Law No. 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. Based on the results of preliminary research, several problems arise in the implementation of regional cooperation, especially cooperation between regions, including the following: First, cooperation between regions whose object is related to income sharing often experiences difficulties in its implementation, especially in determining the amount of income/profits for each region; Second, the emergence of regional egoism, especially in the cooperation between the Parent Region and the regions resulting from the expansion; Third, the lack of data and information about the object of cooperation that has the potential to be better if implemented through cooperation between regions that are geographically close together; Fourth, the lack of initiation to carry out cooperation between regions due to the mindset of each region to deal with internal affairs only; and Fifth, no institution/agency specifically handles inter-regional cooperation.

Newborn Hearing Screening - An Implementation Analysis.

Hearing impairment affects a small but significant percentage of newborns (0.1-0.4%). Newborn hearing screening (NHS) is recommended for early detection and treatment. The implementation of NHS can vary among countries. In this study, we present the methodology, organization, and technical requirements of NHS. This study analyzed results from a tertiary hospital, identified issues, and proposed solutions. In the studied region, there are five maternity hospitals and a perinatal intensive care center and in 2020, there were 5,864 live births. Screening is performed at three levels. The first screening is conducted on the 2nd-3rd day of a newborn's life in a maternity hospital, the first rescreening on the 3rd-6th week at a relevant ENT department, and the second rescreening on the 3rd-6th month of life at the regional screening center where the central database is also held. In the studied region, 5,793 out of 5,864 (98.79%) newborns received NHS in 2020. Of these, 120 (2.07%) were tested positive on their first screening. Ninety-four patients (78.3%) of those attended the ENT department for a first rescreening. Thirty-four patients (0.59% of total) were tested positive again and referred to the regional screening center. Out of the 27 patients who attended the second rescreening, four (0.07% of the total) were ultimately diagnosed with hearing impairment. Our study found that newborn hearing screening (NHS) in our region achieved a high compliance rate of 98.8% for initial screenings in 2020. However, challenges remain in the rescreening process due to data management issues, inter-regional cooperation, and public awareness. The recent implementation of mandatory screenings, updated guidelines, and a centralized database is expected to enhance the effectiveness of NHS. Further research is needed to evaluate these improvements.

Prospects for international cooperation and development of tourism and recreational sphere in the Russian-Belarusian border area

The article examines the key directions for the development of interregional cooperation between the Russian and Belarusian border areas in the field of tourism and recreation. The relevance of this problem is justified by the fact that the intensification of the activities of the Union State can become a driver for the development of the territory under study through interregional cross-border cooperation. The purpose of the article is to assess the prospects for interregional cooperation and development of the tourism and recreational sector of the border region. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the systematization and analysis of current information on the activities of the bodies of the Union State and the projection of its impact on the tourism and recreational sphere of the Russian-Belarusian border area. The author used general scientific, statistical, cartographic methods, analyzed the normative documents of the Union State, statistical data and scientific literature on the topic. In addition, a content analysis of the indicators of collective accommodation facilities in the study area was carried out, which made it possible to identify the most promising tourist centers, as well as the problems of creating a unified classification of hotels in the Union State. The practical significance of the research results lies in the use of the proposed cross-border routes, built taking into account transport, infrastructure and resource aspects. The article also analyzes the main problems hindering the economic and political integration of the two countries, as well as the development of interregional interaction in the field of tourism.

Северо-арктические территории Дальнего Востока России: механизмы организационно-управленческой координации отраслей минерально-сырьевой специализации макрорегиона

The purpose of this study – is based on the author’s analysis of the current socio-economic situation in the northern Arctic territories of the Far East to identify the possibilities of joint and coordinated improvement of the economic and geostrategic stability of this transboundary macroregion in its further development through interregional cooperation in its branches of specialization in the extraction of mineral resources. The methodological and methodological foundations of the study are based on the tools of spatial economics, infrastructure theory, inversion analysis, and research in the field of Arctic problems and cluster analysis. As a result of the study, the leading problems, disproportions and inversion processes of regional development and possible directions of spatial transformations of the studied territories in the long term are determined. The results of the work consist in identifying the features of the studied problems, which are based on exogenous and endogenous inversion processes in the manifestation of competitive and cooperative relationships mainly in the branches of specialization of the territories under study. As an organizational and managerial mechanism for resolving these inversion contradictions, proposals are substantiated for the formation of an infrastructural and innovative mesocluster that would coordinate the extraction of mineral resources in the macroregion

Vladivostok in interregional cooperation: problems and prospects

This article examines the features and main problems of Vladivostok as a large city in the Russian Far East and an important hub connecting Russia and China. The Russian Far East is a vast region rich in resources and focused on the vast market of the Asia-Pacific region. However, in recent years, a number of reasons have weakened the basis for the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China. After the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022, Russia actively "looks to the east" and creates a model of economic development focused on the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road" and the strategy of comprehensive openness have created conditions for the development of cooperation between the Northeast of China and the Russian Far East. In order to promote the accelerated development of the Far East, Russia is actively creating cities with advanced socio-economic development and hopes to improve business conditions in the Far East through a number of measures such as: improving infrastructure, providing tax incentives and simplifying administrative procedures in order to increase its investment attractiveness, increase employment and contribute to the economic development of the region, which will lead to the rise of the entire national economy. The following methods of scientific research were used in the work: the method of analysis and synthesis; generalized method; classification method; specific method; systematic method; phenomenological method. The main conclusions of the study are that in the overall strategic context of the modern world, China and Russia should gradually strengthen their complementary advantages and local industrial cooperation between the two countries. Vladivostok, as the fastest growing city in the Far East, has a great influence on regional cooperation between Russia and China. China has always been Russia's largest partner in the Far East in terms of bilateral trade, foreign investment and financial participation in recent years, so how to make rational use of Vladivostok's advantages and how to solve Vladivostok's current problems (for example, transport problems, demographic problems and the investment market for enterprises of the two sides) is the way to achieve the common development of both countries.

Дослідження тенденцій соціально-економічного розвитку регіонів України

The article discusses the current trends in the socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine, which remains a critical problem, especially in the context of constant regional imbalances that impede the overall economic stability of the country. The decentralization process, which gave more autonomy to local governments, was expected to mitigate some of these imbalances. However, challenges such as the long-term war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and systemic infrastructure shortages have exacerbated the development gap between regions. Many regions continue to face obstacles related to investment attractiveness, innovation, and efficient use of resources, hindering their economic growth. Therefore, addressing these inequalities is essential to achieve sustainable national development and ensure social cohesion. The aim of this article is to analyze the main trends in the socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine and provide recommendations for addressing the existing challenges. The study aims to examine the factors that account for regional differences, assess the impact of decentralization reforms, and identify effective measures to promote balanced regional growth. The study also identifies critical infrastructure gaps that prevent regions from fully exploiting their economic potential. It is concluded that the achievement of balanced socioeconomic development of the regions of Ukraine requires purposeful State intervention and strengthening of interregional cooperation. The data obtained indicate the need to expand investment programs aimed at underdeveloped regions, improve infrastructure and support innovative industries. In addition, continuous optimization of the decentralization process is important, in particular in terms of increasing the transparency and efficiency of local governance. By focusing on these areas, Ukraine can reduce regional disparities, increase economic resilience, and promote sustainable, inclusive growth across the country. The article provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the current state of regional development in Ukraine and offers practical solutions for bridging the socioeconomic gap between regions.

ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ МЕЖРЕГИОНАЛЬНОГО ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ В РАМКАХ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ, ПРОДВИЖЕНИЯ И РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ ТУРИСТСКИХ ПРОДУКТОВ

The dynamic development of tourism activities in the regions of the Russian Federation, the high interest of the population in travel, and the close attention of federal and regional authorities to tourism determine the relevance of the study, the results of which are presented in the article. The purpose of the study is to study the organizational aspects of interregional cooperation in the framework of the formation, promotion and sale of tourist products, taking into account practical features: cooperation of tour operators, interaction with travel service providers, implementation of agency networks, etc. The research methods are: analysis of scientific publications and the legislative and regulatory framework in the field of tourism; synthesis of processes related to the formation, promotion and sale of tourist products, as well as interviews. The article provides examples of Russian interregional routes; presents the functions and conditions of the activities of tour operators and travel agents in the Russian Federation; suggests a scheme of interaction of subjects within the framework of the formation, promotion and sale of tourist products at the interregional level; presents organizational aspects of the implementation of interregional cooperation in the framework of work with tourist products. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the theoretical and methodological substantiation of the organizational aspects of interregional cooperation in the framework of the formation, promotion and sale of tourist products. The practical significance of the study is due to the possibilities of using the main provisions and conclusions by such subjects of the tourist market as tour operators and travel agents (for the development of interregional tourist routes), as well as regional and municipal authorities in the development of concepts, strategies and programs for the formation and development of domestic and inbound tourism in the regions. The results of this study serve as the basis for further research on the subjects of the domestic and inbound tourism market within the framework of interregional interaction at the micro, meso and macro levels.

ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ МЕЖДУНАРОДНОЙ ЧЕРКЕССКОЙ АССОЦИАЦИИ ПО ПОДДЕРЖАНИЮ МЕЖНАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО МИРА В СОВРЕМЕННЫЙ ПЕРИОД

It has been revealed that the propaganda of the maintenance of interethnic peace at the interna-tional, federal and regional levels is a priority in the activities of the ICA in the modern period. In this activity of the ICA, the most effective and widespread were those conducted in 2014-2023 scientific and practical conferences, round tables, etc., the purpose of which is to promote: harmo-nization of interethnic relations, development of international and interregional cooperation using public diplomacy methods, strengthening ties with foreign compatriots, forming a favorable pub-lic opinion about Russia abroad, interaction between government bodies, public, religious and ed-ucational organizations. The active work of the ICA in the maintenance of interethnic peace was highly appreciated at the federal level. President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, in his ad-dress to the participants of the XIII ICA Congress, noted special recognition of the association’s efforts to maintain peace and harmony in the North Caucasus, constructive dialogue with govern-ment agencies and civil society institutions. The peacekeeping position of the ICA on the political situation in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine, which escalated in March 2014, was to support Russia’s policy aimed at its peaceful settlement. After the start of the special operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine (February 2022), the position of the ICA is to support this measure, criticize the founders and participants of the “Free Circassia” movement, created in Warsaw in 2022, as well as calls for the Circassian people – unite and resist the provocations of anti-Russian forces.

ANALYTICAL RESEARCH OF THE RESULTS OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF KRYVIY RIH AND STRATEGIC GOALS OF ITS ACHIEVEMENT

Objective. The objective of the study is the substantiation of the goals and principles of state programs of regional development, the identification of influencing factors on the process of developing programs of socio-economic development of the city of Kryvyi Rih, and the development of strategic directions for the effective and efficient implementation of regional development programs. Methods. When preparing the article, general and special methods of scientific research are used, in particular, the method of retrospective analysis and synthesis - to generalize the main theoretical approaches to the formation and implementation of the local socio-economic development program and the order of its development; dialectical method - for a comprehensive study of relations between state administrations and local authorities; graphoanalytical – for a schematic representation of the theoretical and practical provisions of the research; method of system analysis - to determine the priority directions of reforming the socio-economic development program by the local authorities of a specific territorial community. Results. The definition of «local program of economic and social development» is studied, in particular according to the term, as well as the concepts of «regional development program» and «budget programs», which are closely related to the local program of socio-economic development. It is proved that the principles of development of local socio-economic development programs are defined as the expected achievements based on the results of the implementation of a complex of interrelated tasks and measures aimed at solving the most important issues of the development of the united territorial community. Analytical studies of the results of the implementation of the Social Protection Program for certain categories of Kryvyi Rih residents and the dynamics of the total amount of funding under this program for 2018-2022 are out. It is determined that in order to implement the measures of the Program for the Perspective Development of Education in Kryvyi Rih for 2019-2024, free meals are provided to pupils and children from large families in general education institutions of the city, children from student families in preschool institutions of the city, children whose parents were involved or killed or went missing as a result of the events in the East of Ukraine. It is noted that culture, the financing of which is provided for by the legislation of Ukraine from the local budget, is of no less importance for the development of Kryvyi Rih in the humanitarian sphere.. Special attention is paid to the Program for the reimbursement of part of the loans provided by the association of co-owners of apartment buildings and housing and construction cooperatives for the implementation of energy-efficient measures in the housing sector for 2016-2023. It is emphasized that for the purpose of social support of all categories of citizens of Ukraine who are in the territory of the Kryvyi Rih urban territorial community, during the period of martial law in Ukraine, and to increase their social security, free travel in public municipal public transport is introduced in the city. It should be noted that the Strategic Development Plan of the city of Kryvyi Rih for the period until 2025 has been approved at the local level, based on a transformational version of the city's development, which reflects the focus on supporting the positive development vector of all spheres of the city's life, innovative renewal and diversification of the economy. It is emphasized that the chosen Strategy provides for the provision of coordinated joint actions of local executive bodies and local self-government bodies in the conditions of a military/post-war state in order to implement a unified state policy for the development of Ukraine at the district level. The authors formulate strategic directions for effective and efficient implementation of Kryvyi Rih Socio-Economic Development Program for 2023-2025 based on the principles of developing local socio-economic development programs, namely: decentralization of management; development of interregional cooperation; implementation of a system for identifying and assessing priority social problems of a certain territory; optimization of state management structures and procedures; implementation of an active resource strategy by bodies of executive power and local self-government; promotion of public activity and development of various forms of self-organization of the population; raising the level of social culture and education of employees of state administration and local authorities, deputies of all levels.

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the Role of African Regional Organisations in Ensuring Security of Maritime Shipping

The first decade of the XXI century witnessed a rise in piracy in some regions of the world, including the Gulf of Guinea. The purposes of this article are to find out historical reasons of the emergence of piracy in off the West coast of Africa and to analyse the participation of African regional organisations in the struggle for ensuring security of maritime shipping in the Gulf of Guinea. The initial surge in incidence of attacks against merchant ships was caused by anti-governmental groups, which adopted pirate tactics. Later, piracy off the shores of Central and West Africa turned into a profitable type of organised crime. Pirates of the Gulf of Guinea inflicted significant damage to economic development of the countries of the region and began to pose a threat to shipping off the West African shore of the Atlantic. The article describes how interregional cooperation with external partnership was organised to counter transborder nature of pirate activities. Based on regional organisations, specifically, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the maritime security summit held on June 24–25, 2013 in Yaoundé adopted the Code of Conduct, which contained a list of measures to combat piracy. The Code of Conduct envisaged close cooperation among the nations of Central and West Africa with help of “external” partners in order to ensure rapid reaction to counter pirate attacks. Research of the problem indicates that only consecutive realisation of these measures allowed to reach a tangible result almost 10 years later, namely, in 2022. Nevertheless, if control over waters of the Gulf of Guinea is weakened, piracy may resurge, because its social and economic roots still exist.