Digital transformation of paradiplomacy: Prospects for Russian regions

Abstract

Issues of implementation modern information and communication technologies into the practice of international cooperation of subnational actors and adjustment approaches to the development of paradiplomacy facing the global consequences of comprehensive digitalization has been studied in the article. This determines the need of adaptation the vast foreign and domestic experience of digital diplomacy to the specifics of international relations at the subnational level and refinement of the terminology used. The main emphasis in the study is on regional paradiplomacy, since at this level the largest number of opportunities and challenges associated with cross-border contacts of subnational governments are formed. International and foreign economic relations of subjects of the Russian Federation are based on of their powers in this area and the diversity of regional interests. The significance of international cooperation for the subjects of the Russian Federation is demonstrated by the analysis of statistical data. Articles by Russian and foreign authors, statutes and regulations, government programs, materials of international institutions, official websites of federal and regional authorities, institutions for the development of foreign economic activity have been studied to achieve the goals of the study. Analysis of the practice of using digital technologies by federal subjects to promote exports, attract investments, maintaining official and business contacts, support for compatriots allows for the conclusion about the effectiveness of interaction of regions with federal authorities and development institutions. This promotes the involvement of all federal subjects in coordinated work, standardization development of information assets and data exchange, and the dissemination of best digitalization practices. The conducted research contributed to identifying the basic trends of digitalization of paradiplomacy. The main directions of digital transformation of paradiplomacy are considered. The latter determines the evolution of the model of international relations at the subnational level. The study confirms that comprehensive processes of digitalization of the main directions of paradiplomacy of the subjects of the Russian Federation and its digital transformation are carried out in close cooperation of Russian regions with federal authorities within the framework of national projects and state programs.