Regional Cooperation Research Articles

International Humanitarian Assistance for Health: Türkiye’s Health Diplomacy Practices during the Covid-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the health systems of developed countries, leading to a surge in the demand for medical supplies and equipment. This study is dedicated to shedding light on Türkiye's health diplomacy practices and its pivotal role as a facilitator in addressing the escalating global humanitarian and medical aid demand for medical equipment, supplies, medicines, and vaccines due to COVID-19. The study employs the PRISMA systematic analysis method as a data collection protocol to scrutinize Türkiye's international humanitarian and medical assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of health diplomacy practices. The study's findings, which are categorized under four headings: international humanitarian aid based on COVID-19, international medical equipment and supplies, international ventilator aid, and Türkiye's international COVID-19 vaccine aid, reveal that Türkiye has extended a broad spectrum of medical aid and support, including ventilators, vaccines, and medical equipment, to 161 countries across five continents, demonstrating its global reach and impact. Furthermore, as a testament to its “entrepreneurial and humanitarian foreign policy,” Türkiye has underscored regional and international cooperation through its medical and humanitarian endeavors. Türkiye's international humanitarian assistance has gone beyond material aid to encourage dialogue and has been a message of international solidarity for communities. In future research, establishing a connection between Türkiye's regional and international medical assistance and tangible political, social, and economic outcomes will validate the impact and benefits of its humanitarian efforts.

BIMSTEC at a Crossroads: Enhancing Regional Cooperation through Institutionalization and Leadership

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) represents a significant framework for regional cooperation, linking South Asia and Southeast Asia. Despite its potential, BIMSTEC has historically faced challenges in institutional development, struggling to distinguish itself from other regional organizations such as SAARC and ASEAN. However, recent geopolitical shifts and the stagnation of SAARC have positioned BIMSTEC as a more viable platform for regional integration. This study explores strategies to rejuvenate BIMSTEC by focusing on institutionalization and leadership dynamics, particularly in light of India’s growing influence within the organization. It examines how effective institutionalization can enhance BIMSTEC’s operational capacity, with particular emphasis on the role of formal and informal leadership. The study also analyzes the economic and political motivations of member states, highlighting the critical need for robust institutional frameworks to support sustainable cooperation. Through a comprehensive review of secondary data, including academic research and official documents, this paper provides policy recommendations for strengthening BIMSTEC’s role in regional cooperation.

Innovative collaboration among developing countries: the role of national innovation systems in Latin America

PurposeBuilding on current debates on innovation, knowledge diffusion, and institutional dynamics, we explore the influence of national innovation systems (NISs) on international innovation collaborations in Latin America, focusing on intellectual property rights (IPR), access to scientific knowledge and regulatory quality.Design/methodology/approachWe analyze data from 17 Latin American countries from 2002–2015 using time-series panel analysis to evaluate how different NIS elements affect regional cooperation for innovation.FindingsRegulatory quality can improve international collaboration by compensating for weaker IPR and scientific knowledge bases. Interestingly, while both IPR and scientific knowledge inherently promote cooperation, stronger regulatory environments may diminish the effectiveness of IPR protections, suggesting a potential substitution effect.Practical implicationsThe study offers actionable insights for policymakers in developing regions to help them craft more effective policies for collaboration in innovation that consider the balancing act between regulatory quality and other NIS elements.Originality/valueThis research shifts focus from the conventional analysis of how developing countries attract collaboration from developed nations to how they can foster innovation among themselves, providing a unique perspective on the interaction between institutional factors and innovation capabilities within the Latin American context.

SCARCE RESOURCES, GREAT CHALLENGE: CENTRAL ASIA'S WATER CRISIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Central Asia has limited water resources and increasing pressure on these resources. Large-scale irrigation projects initiated during the Soviet Union led to the over-exploitation of the Amu Darya and Sir Darya rivers and the dramatic drying up of Lake Aral. This process has caused extensive damage to the ecosystem, declines in agricultural productivity and serious problems in human health. The article analyses the historical origins and the current state of the water crisis in the region and examines the challenges of water resources management and sustainability efforts. It will also emphasise the importance of regional cooperation and modern water management policies. Central Asia's water crisis is not only an environmental problem but also a social and economic challenge. In this context, sustainable water management strategies are vital for the region to achieve its long-term development goals. Türkiye’s cooperation with the Central Asian states in this regard and transferring experience to them will contribute to the regional states' confidence in Türkiye and increase Türkiye’s prestige in the international arena. The article will use the Russian, English, Turkish and Uzbek source search method.

Developing an evaluation model for urban tourism competitiveness: combining community construction and community service to foster sustainable development of cities.

This study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation model for urban tourism competitiveness in China. Given China's transition into a mature tourist destination, there is a pressing need for a framework that can assess the effectiveness of its urban tourism strategies. The model presented in this study is designed to provide a holistic understanding of the factors influencing urban tourism competitiveness in the Chinese context. The methodology employed in this study combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A modified version of Porter's Diamond Model serves as the primary framework, augmented by the IMD World Competitiveness Center: International Institute for Management Development (IMD) framework to incorporate social governance and environmental dimensions. To derive comprehensive scores for sustainable development, a linear weighted evaluation method was used, incorporating the coefficient of variation entropy weight method. This approach allows for a quantitative assessment of urban tourism competitiveness from 2008 to 2019. The key findings of the study reveal significant challenges within the current urban tourism landscape in China. These challenges include homogeneous competition, a lack of strategic management, and insufficient service quality. Furthermore, the study identifies the need for greater emphasis on sustainable tourism development, balancing economic benefits with the preservation of cultural and natural assets. Based on the findings, the study proposes several solutions to address the identified challenges. These solutions include creating boutique inland tourism routes, developing unique urban tourism brands, and enhancing regional cooperation and management practices. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of integrating community development and services into the evaluation model to foster sustainable tourism development. The proposed solutions offer actionable insights for policymakers and planners seeking to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of urban tourism in China.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's Role in Promoting Sustainable Hydropower Projects: A Comparative Analysis of the Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu-I Projects

This study compares the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)-led Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project with the World Bank-supported Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project. By comparing the approval and implementation process, multilateral and regional cooperation, sustainable development factors, and challenges and coping strategies of these two hydropower projects, it is concluded that AIIB has a clear advantage in promoting sustainable energy projects. AIIB has demonstrated an efficient project approval and implementation process, as well as close multilateral and regional partnerships. In addition, AIIB has systematically focused on the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project, so that sustainable development can be balanced in the progress of energy projects. However, the agency's pressing issues include technical difficulties, environmental protection, and population resettlement. In order to meet these challenges, AIIB needs to strengthen the learning of experience, optimize the project strategy, and expand the scope of cooperation. The findings of this study have guiding value for policymakers and academia. In future energy cooperation and investment, governments, multilateral development banks and relevant institutions should learn from the practical experience of AIIB and formulate more effective and targeted policies and plans. By tackling challenges together, we will contribute to solving global energy problems and promoting sustainable development.

The Economic Impact Of The 1997 And 2008 Financial Crisis On Asia

This study investigates the factors that made Asian economies more resilient during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) compared to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis (AFC). The research addresses the question: What made Asian economies more resilient during the Global Financial Crisis than the Asian Financial Crisis? Through a comparative analysis, the research highlights the proactive reforms implemented after the AFC, such as the adoption of adaptable exchange rate regimes, enhanced banking supervision, and the development of deeper capital markets, which collectively fortified the region's financial systems. In this respect, it is observed that such reforms provided an enabling environment that, together with strong current account balances and large foreign exchange reserves, helped the Asian economies weather the GFC. The research has also attempted to explain how strategic international cooperation and financial policies updated were helpful in sustaining financial stability. Despite these successes, the research underscores ongoing vulnerabilities, such as high levels of corporate and household debt, that require attention to safeguard against future crises. The findings offer valuable insights into the importance of readiness, flexibility, and regional cooperation in ensuring economic stability and growth.

Energy transition strategies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

During the last two decades, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have seen their population, economies and energy production growing steeply with a substantial increase in Gross Domestic Product. As a result of this growth, GCC consumption-based carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased from 540.79 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2) in 2003 to 1090.93 MtCO2 in 2020. The assumptions and strategies that have driven energy production in the past are now being recast to achieve a more sustainable economic development. The aim of this study is to review and analyze ongoing energy transition strategies that characterize this change to identify challenges and opportunities for bolstering the effectiveness of current strategic orientations. The ensuing analysis shows that since COP26, GCC countries have been pursuing a transition away from carbon-based energy policies largely characterized by the adoption of solar PV with other emerging technologies including energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen generation and storage. While as of 2022 renewable energy adoption in the GCC only represented 0.15 % of global installed capacity, GCC countries are making strong efforts to achieve their declared 2030 energy targets that average about 26 % with peaks of 50 % in Saudi Arabia and 30 % in the UAE and Oman. With reference to solar energy, plans are afoot to add 42.1 GW of solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power which will increase 8-fold the current installed renewable capacity (5.1 GW). At the same time, oil and gas production rates remain stable and fossil fuel subsidies have grown in the last few years. Also, there is a marked preference for the deployment of CCUS and utility-scale solar energy technology vs. distributed solar energy, energy efficiency and nature-based solutions. The pursuit of energy transition in the GCC will require increased efforts in the latter and other overlooked strategic endeavors to achieve a more balanced portfolio of sustainable energy solutions, with stronger emphasis on energy efficiency (as long as rebound effects are mitigated) and nature-based solutions. Increased efforts are also needed in promoting governance practices aimed to institutionalize regulatory frameworks, incentives, and cooperation activities that promote the reduction of fossil fuel subsidies and the transition away from fossil fuels.

The Reinvigoration of the Organization of Turkic States amid Ongoing Geopolitical Unrest and Economic Uncertainty

The recent regional events and the geopolitical consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war have had a profound impact on the dynamics among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Central Asian Turkic states (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan). This shifting geopolitical landscape has been the catalyst of collaboration and integration for these countries under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), an intergovernmental organization that aims to foster cooperation among Turkic-speaking nations. Being established in 2009, this emerging bloc has pursued a relatively low-profile policy on geopolitical issues in the past decade. However, after years of relatively little activity, things have started to change drastically due to the global situation that is being shaped by wider geopolitical factors. The OTS steadily began to pursue a more ambitious agenda and eventually helped bolster relations and stimulate regional socio-economic development efforts during the last four years, focusing on building stronger regional cooperation through ethnocultural links. The article examines how the Turkic alliance has stimulated functional cooperation through the facilitation of trade, investment, and economic cooperation among its members and observer states.

Do national innovation policies lead to technological specialization or diversification? The role of path dependence and spatial spillovers

Although most national innovation policy aim to promote urban innovation, their impact on technological specialization and diversification has not been thoroughly explored. This paper examines the impact of the National Innovation City Pilot Policy (NICPP) on technological specialization and diversification in Chinese cities, utilizing data from 282 cities between 2006 and 2019, and employing the difference-in-differences (DID) method. The results indicate that NICPP increases technological specialization while decreasing diversification in cities. The pathways to these outcomes include innovation path dependence, agglomeration effects, and a reduction in breakthrough innovations. Additionally, the policy's spatial spillovers contributed to technological specialization in peripheral areas. The study highlights the heterogeneity of policy effects, suggesting that cities with higher levels of initial specialization are more significantly impacted by these policies, while differences in resource endowment, geographical location, and city size lead to varying patterns of specialization. Moreover, the study verifies the synergistic effect of NICPP with other policies, where initiatives promoting high technology and environmental regulation work in conjunction with NICPP to enhance specialization in corresponding industries. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted impacts of NICPP, delivering theoretical insights and empirical evidence for strategic policy deployment, enhancing regional cooperation, and fostering synergies among policies.

Navigating new waters: China's strategic responses to the Indo-Pacific economic framework for prosperity

ABSTRACT The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) represents a significant pivot in the economic and strategic orientations of the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting a collective endeavor to foster economic integration, sustainability, and security among its member states. This shift has profound implications for China, a main regional power with vested interests across the economic, political, and security spectrums. This paper delves into the multifaceted options available to China in response to the IPEF, analysing the strategic, economic, and diplomatic avenues Beijing might pursue to safeguard its interests and maintain its regional presence. Through a comprehensive examination of official statements, policy adjustments, and strategic engagements, the paper outlines China's nuanced approach towards the IPEF, ranging from competitive economic policies and regional partnerships to diplomatic overtures aimed at reshaping the narrative around regional cooperation and development. By dissecting these strategies, the paper sheds light on the evolving dynamics of regional power play, offering insights into how China navigates the challenges and opportunities posed by the IPEF. The analysis concludes with a discussion on the potential ramifications of China's strategies for the regional order, suggesting pathways for future research and policy considerations.

Maritime Disputes from a Global Perspective and Solutions under International Law

This study explores the utilization and challenges of international laws in resolving global maritime disputes through a detailed analysis of representative cases from South America, Africa, and Asia. It highlights the crucial role of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in providing a legal framework and dispute resolution mechanisms. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, including political interference, legal ambiguity, and enforcement issues. By comparing regional dispute settlement mechanisms, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of multilateral negotiations in South America, regional legal frameworks in Africa, and a combination of multilateral and unilateral actions in Asia. Based on these insights, the study proposes several recommendations to enhance the international legal framework, promote regional cooperation, and innovate dispute resolution mechanisms. These measures aim to ensure fair and effective resolution of maritime disputes, maintain maritime peace and stability, and promote the healthy development of global ocean governance.

The Urgency of Forming Regional Regulations Concerning Regional Cooperation in Wonosobo District

The Urgency of Forming Regional Regulations Concerning Regional Cooperation in Wonosobo District

Analysis of the Impact of Community-linked Educationon Local University Students’ Awareness of Regional Cooperation Activities

Analysis of the Impact of Community-linked Educationon Local University Students’ Awareness of Regional Cooperation Activities

Bucking the Trend: Civil Society and the Strengthening of Environmental Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract In 2021, environmental procedural rights were strengthened in Latin America and the Caribbean when the legally binding Escazu Agreement came into force. This new treaty seeks to implement Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio Declaration, which promotes access to information, participation, and justice in environmental matters. The treaty is empirically and theoretically surprising: it bucks the growing trend of informalization in regional and international cooperation and is more highly legalized than institutional design theory would predict. Applying an interpretivist logic of inquiry and drawing on interviews with twenty-three participants in the negotiations, I argue that this outcome can be explained by an alignment of structural conditions that facilitated an alliance between ambitious state and nonstate actors and enabled their influence throughout negotiations. Applying theories of political opportunities and mobilization structures, I show how a network created by the World Resources Institute influenced the agreement’s design and helped secure a high degree of obligation and precision in Latin America’s first environmental treaty.

Equity and efficiency of health resource allocation in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle of China.

This study aimed to evaluate the fairness and efficiency of health resource allocation (HRAE) in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle after the new healthcare reform. This study also aimed to identify existing problems, providing empirical evidence for the government to formulate regional health plans scientifically and reasonably. The fairness of health resource allocation was analyzed using the Gini coefficient, Theil index, and agglomeration degree from population and geographical area perspectives. The three-stage data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity index were used to analyze HRAE from static and dynamic perspectives. The Gini coefficient for population allocation in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle was 0.066-0.283, and the Gini coefficient for geographical area allocation was 0.297-0.469. The contribution rate within a region was greater than that between regions, and health resources were mainly concentrated in economically developed core areas. The overall fairness of Chengdu Economic Circle was relatively better than that of Chongqing Economic Circle. Moreover, the adjusted mean technical efficiency was 0.806, indicating room for HRAE improvement in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. Stochastic Frontier Analysis found that different environmental variables have varying degrees of impact on HRAE. The adjusted mean total factor productivity change (Tfpch) was 1.027, indicating an overall upward trend in HRAE since the new healthcare reform. However, scale efficiency change (Sech) (0.997) limited the improvement of Tfpch. The fairness of health resources allocated by population was better than that allocated by geographical area. The unfairness of health resources mainly stemmed from intra-regional differences, with considerable health resources concentrated in core areas. Over the past 13 years, HRAE has improved but exhibited spatial heterogeneity and Sech-hindered productivity improvement. The study recommends strengthening regional cooperation and sharing to promote the integrated and high-quality development of the health and well-being in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

Source‐load cooperative frequency regulation based on virtual synchronous/asynchronous machine concept

AbstractDue to the absence of inertia, the high proportion of electronic power equipment is a great threat to the stability of the power system. Previous studies have proposed the virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control method for the inverter‐based distributed generators (DG). However, due to the capacity limitations of DG, the capability of the inverter to provide the inertia action is limited. At the same time, some controllable loads also have the ability to provide inertial support but are still not fully utilised. To get a better grid frequency response, this paper proposes a source‐load coordination strategy based on the VSM and virtual asynchronous machine (VAM) concept. For that purpose, a detailed VAM model is firstly derived for the rectifier on power demand side. Not only the virtual inertia and frequency oscillation damping can be provided, but also the synchronisation units are not needed to obtain the unknown grid frequency. After that, a distributed consensus‐based secondary control is present to regulate the frequency to converge to a reference value based on VSM and VAM. Compared with the existing frequency regulation method, the proposed scheme makes full use of the ability of the load side to participate in frequency modulation. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to validate the feasibility of the proposed method on MATLAB/Simulink.

Distributed adaptive cooperative optimal output regulation via integral reinforcement learning

This paper studies the optimal cooperative output regulation problem for unknown linear multi-agent systems by the integral reinforcement learning technique. Existing results on this problem were obtained by a non-fully distributed learning process. In contrast, we propose a distributed learning algorithm over the jointly connected switching communication networks. Moreover, by modifying the existing algorithm, we reduce the computational cost and weaken the solvability conditions. Two numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.

The coordinated development among economy, society, energy, and environment and their impacts on public health in China's cities

As China's urban areas rapidly developed, prefecture-level cities faced challenges in the coordinated development of the economy, society, energy, and environment (ESEE), which could impact public health. Previous research had examined the interactions between the various ESEE systems and their effects on public health. However, relatively few studies had conducted comprehensive analyses across different systems and regions. This paper aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis in this field. First, it calculated the ESEE development levels using principal component analysis, the entropy method, and data from 278 Chinese cities between 2012 and 2021. Next, it employed a coupling coordination degree model, which reflects the degree of coordinated development between different systems, to explore the coordinated development levels and trends of the four ESEE systems in each prefecture-level city. Furthermore, this paper innovatively used a spatial Durbin model, incorporating ESEE coordination levels to investigate their impact on public health in local and surrounding areas. The results indicated that the positive impact of ESEE coordinated development on local public health was 0.5082, while the impact on surrounding areas was 2.0240. This influence was more pronounced in smaller cities, suggesting the need to enhance regional cooperation, balance developmental disparities, and promote ESEE coordinated development to improve public health.

Good Neighbourly Relations: Norm Emergence and Adoption

ABSTRACT This article studies the politics of regional cooperation and regionalism, with particular attention to “good neighbourly relations”, which has emerged as a new concept in the field. Since the early 1990s, the Balkan countries have pursued attempts to link with each other in regional platforms and networks. Applying the concept of “good neighbourly relations”, this article seeks to reveal how the countries of the region have pursued regional cooperation while facing the reality of persistent bilateral disputes among themselves. While influential studies point to a growing cleavage among neighboring countries, this article seeks to further the understanding of regional cooperation with an assessment of the emergence and rise of the concept of “good neighbourly relations” to a norm of regionalism. By applying a social constructivist perspective this article investigates whether, and how, “good neighbourly relations” functioned as a channel of diffusion of norms pertaining to regionalism and regional cooperation in the Balkans. The article suggests that “good neighbourly relations” provided an opportunity for norm diffusion. By allowing the emerging norm of “good neighbourly relations” to guide regionalism efforts, the ambitions to promote the norm regionally as well as globally were supported.