Drawing on theories of comparative regionalism, this article examines the construction of regionalist frames in Azerbaijan covering the period from 1993 to mid-2023. By examining more than 60 text passages from presidential speeches and statements, the study identifies two framings of regionalism that have dominated presidential discourses in Azerbaijan: the discourse of Turkic solidarity or unity (in the political-security domain) and the narrative of an East-West corridor or the revival of the Silk Road for transport of cargo and hydrocarbon resources (in the economic domain). By constructing these discursive frames, Azerbaijani state leaders crafted an alternative regional order reconstituting the geographic category of “South Caucasus” into a new, spatially broader area. In this formulation, “South Caucasus” is viewed as a central pillar of the Silk Road, and Azerbaijan as one of its focal points or nodes. While the study underscores a key role that actors and ideas play in the formation of regions and regional institutions, it also highlights how social construction of regional identities is embedded in and shaped by historical experiences and country-specific political-economic conditions such as historical memories, experiences of war, collective identities and cultural affinities, geographic location, domestic political economic structures, and international linkages.

Continuous regional cooperation is efficient and constructive for long-term development of astronomy, as clearly shown by the great success of ESO in the European Region. The IAU does not formally define its Regions, however they are becoming clear through the Regional Meetings during recent decades. We present some statistics and considerations about five IAU Regions, based on the temporarily assumed geographical distribution of IAU National Members. For further growth of IAU and worldwide astronomy, the role of Asian Pacific, Lain American, and Mid-East & African Regions is essentially important. We can identify three groups; “Super”, “Advanced”, and “Developing” groups of IAU National Members based on the rate of IAU Individual Member per population in each of the National Members. This rate, identical to the number of astronomer per head of population, can be regarded as an indicator of the “strength” of astronomy in each of the NMs, while the number of Individual Members indicates the “size” of astronomical research. We find that the distribution of this rate shows clear differences from Region to Region. Based on this analysis, we propose planning within IAU National Members, each Region and the EC so as to grow from a “Developed” group to an “Advanced” group, as well as to increase the number of NMs. The IAU should encourage and support those efforts by National Members and Regions through the platform of Regional Meetings, the OAD and other possible strategic programmes.

Since their inception, climate change negotiations have stalled because of the scope of parties’ mitigation responsibilities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The concept of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) became a core principle of the framework to ensure consensus on a global climate policy in 1992 and to promote differentiation. By letting each country assess its current responsibilities and capacities for climate mitigation through their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), the Paris Agreement has built on the principle of CBDR-RC and promoted self-differentiation. As the concept evolved, the role of emerging economies has been a particular focus of discussions. Academia is still grappling with the revised meaning of CBDR-RC and the newly introduced NDCs. This article contributes to the discussion by analyzing the role of emerging economies in climate governance through the lens of regional responsibility. In particular, it discusses how cooperation can be a more effective way to ensure differentiation, especially by distinguishing emerging economies from other developing countries with fewer capacities. The article uses the Amazon rainforest as a case study, discussing Brazil’s role within the region. Building on lessons from regional schemes that have successfully promoted climate mitigation, the article looks at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) as an avenue for enhanced cooperation at the regional level.

As traditional methods of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) become increasingly expensive due to increased regulation, many local governments are considering cooperation as a waste management strategy. A theoretical model is used to specify a partial observability probability model to analyze the decision Tennessee counties made to form either a single-county solid waste region or a multi-county region. We find that, while economies of scale may be a factor in the consolidation decision, similarities and differences between counties in current individual provision levels of solid waste services, ability to pay for services, and expectations for future solid waste service demands are statistically more important.

The red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville) is one of the major plague locust species of serious potential threat to agriculture in Zambia. Two of its eight outbreak areas, Mweru wa Ntipa plains and the Kafue Flats, are found in Zambia. The Kafue Flats have now become more important because of high levels of locust activity, occasionally forming swarms. Locust control in Zambia has been mandated to the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA), a regional cooperative effort of 8 member countries. Regional cooperation for locust control has proved practical and economical for Zambia.