Supporting Clean Energy in the ASEAN: Policy Opportunities from Sustainable Aviation Fuels Initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia

Sustainable aviation fuels is a strategic long-term solution for zero-carbon aviation industry by 2050, thus underscoring the need to accelerate the deployment through reforms in the relevant key areas. Aligned to the agenda, this paper aims to study the policy opportunities for drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deployment in the ASEAN by considering the initiatives undertaken. by Indonesia and Malaysia. Four areas are used as coding framework to assess the current status, challenges, and policy opportunities, namely (1) policy, strategy, and reforms; (2) standards and certification system; (3) economic instruments; and (4) international integration. First, the current status and challenges within each country is assessed. Indonesia has shown a more command-and-control approach with an upfront SAF blending mandate. However, it needs to be supported by several compliance measures. Malaysia, on the other hand, has conducted country assessments but no SAF-specific policy has been issued yet. Both countries still lack the economic instruments, while international integration is still relatively under-explored with only limited inter-regional partnerships. As the biggest palm-oil producing countries, Indonesia and Malaysia possess enormous potentials to lead the region in deploying SAF, thus more initiatives are urged.

History of regional relations in foreign political activity of the Republic of Kazakhstan (1991-2014)

Lately legal framework of Kazakhstan’s relations with other countries has been formed, the confidence and respect of the world community for the country has increased. This research article examines the regional partnerships of the East Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 1991 to 2014 on the basis of archival data, documents in collections and analysis of scientific papers. The multifaceted partnerships of the regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the regions, districts, border areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan distinguished by their importance and effectiveness are studied. Experience in this area shows that such a partnership in foreign policy allows for the full realization of relations, especially in the economic and social spheres. Through such cooperation, it will be possible to deepen interstate relations on the basis of mutual benefit. It will be possible to identify the specifics and bilateral needs of the regions, and further establish contacts on a regular basis. Thus, the purpose of all agreements with foreign countries concluded since the beginning of the 90s of the XX century in economic, cultural, health, education, science and other areas was to involve all regions of Kazakhstan in this relationship. Such activities take into account the provision of cooperation and exchange of experience with countries that have developed through high technical development

The Role of Regions in EU-China Relations

More and more regions are cooperating with their Chinese counterparts in many different areas: economy, environment, culture, academic exchange. Although the subnational dimension has started to be a visibly important element of EU-China relations, this trend is not reflected in the academic literature on EU-China relations. Until now, we have not known what the network of contacts with China at the regional level looks like and what the determinants and institutional forms of inter-regional partnerships there are. The present book maps Sino-European relations at the regional level and presents a detailed analysis of subnational contacts in the six analysed EU member states, illustrated by case studies of interesting regions from each country. It shows the rising role of non-state actors in international relations, the growing importance of paradiplomacy, as well as the necessity to look at the EU-China relations as a multi-layer phenomenon, engaging different types of actors on different levels.

Accelerating Our Global Impact in the Year of the Nurse and Midwife

Confronting global health crises requires nurses who demonstrate leadership and the ability to collaborate with other disciplines. Regional partnerships can act as “accelerant synergists” to develop the capacity of nurses locally benefiting the region as a whole.

Israel-UAE deal will expand existing security ties

Significance The US-brokered deal reflects Washington’s priorities in fostering regional partnerships against Iran and in upgrading Israel’s relationships in the Gulf (ostensibly as a step towards resolving the conflict with the Palestinians). Impacts There is speculation an accord could be signed as early as next month, but this may be delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington will seek to strong-arm other Arab states, notably Sudan, Bahrain and Oman, into following the UAE’s example. The agreement provides cover for Netanyahu to abort already troubled plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu’s exclusion of coalition partners and security officials from talks has raised further public concern over his trustworthiness. In Israel, the deal remains overshadowed by preoccupations with the pandemic’s health and economic consequences.

Higher Education Regionalization in the Northern Triangle of Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras

This paper uses Knight's (2013) regionalization of higher education framework - The Functional, Organizational and Political Approaches (FOPA) Model - to better understand the climate for regional engagement between higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Northern Triangle (NT) of Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The NT region is mired in a variety of economic, social and political challenges that have contributed to mass migration north to Mexico and the United States. We contend that higher education can contribute to the future development of the region. One approach to explore the potentional of higher education engagement is to examine the level of collaboration between institutions within the region, between the NT and the greater Central America region and with external partners such as the United States and the European Union. While we argue that regional partnerships rely heavily on North-South collaborations, we also contend that the conditions exist in Central America for further development of a more integrated higher education community.

Our ‘Dear Green Place’: Glasgow’s transformation from industrial powerhouse to sustainable city

This chapter examines how Glasgow City Council (hereafter, GCC) has chosen to meet its environmental challenges and how these efforts are increasingly linked to other aspects of city governance (from the resilience agenda to regional partnerships). With a focus on natural habitats, green space and climate change related risks this chapter outlines and critiques the city’s environmental achievements since 2010 and its current environment-related policies, projects and partnerships. It explores the development and progression of local sustainability and greening agendas such as how they evolved during the city-wide Sustainability Strategy (PMG, 2019) and through Glasgow’s participation in the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities programme (100RC). Glasgow’s initiatives are contextualised within wider regional initiatives (e.g. Clyde region) and devolved national (e.g. Scottish Government) policy. We critically evaluate the range of multi-level governance actors that are helping shape environmental sustainability and resilience initiatives within Glasgow and conclude by reflecting on where Glasgow’s sustainability efforts are bearing fruit and what may help the city achieve its sustainability and resilience goals more fully.