Abstract:

The two main functions of any Natural Resource Fund (NRF) are to use the accumulated resource revenues to stabilise budget expenditures in times of low resource prices and to save the excess revenue for future generations. In theory, by doing this, NRFs should be able to mitigate the negative effects of the resource curse phenomenon. But there are strong arguments that NRFs in institutionally weak societies cannot effectively impede their governments from accessing and misusing the accumulated revenues.

At first glance, this applies to the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), which has been a key part of the country’s fiscal system. Alongside the traditional NRF functions, SOFAZ has also funded national socio-economic development projects and provided large annual transfers to the national budget. Crucially, the withdrawals from the fund are outside the scope of normal budget procedures and are fully within the discretion of the President without the need for any legislative approval. These transfers, which on average form around 40 percent of the budget, have allowed the government to provide certain socio-economic benefits to the population, keep taxes low, and dispense strategic patronage.

Yet, at the same time, while the stabilisation function of the fund is clearly a failure, as evidenced by high share of budget transfers, its saved assets have shown a notable growth dynamic based specifically on governmental savings and not the investment return, which for SOFAZ remains quite low. This suggests that the government has counterintuitively continued saving some portion of the revenues annually instead of simply syphoning it all into the budget to fund the increasing spending. Additionally, recently, with oil reserves and revenues decreasing, the Azerbaijani government has introduced reforms aimed at lowering the share of SOFAZ transfers in the national budget, despite the ongoing increase in government expenditures due to reconstruction in post-war Karabakh.

This paper attempts to explain such behaviour by focusing on societal expectations about the fund and aims to understand if such technocratic reforms, which crucially do not in any shape or form remove unilateral presidential control over the withdrawals, will succeed in the long term and what political effects they might have during the post-oil era.

The paper is part of the author’s doctoral thesis that researches the effectiveness of SOFAZ, its Kazakhstani counterpart, the National Fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Petroleum Fund of Timor-Leste.

Abstract:

How nuclear past is perceived by the local population? How is this perception related to the development of the whole region? This research delves into the intertwined dynamics of nuclear history, environmental degradation, and regional development in the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site region. Despite the acknowledged unsuitability of these sites for habitation, certain communities persist in residing there, grappling with profound challenges. This study focuses on understanding the needs of these local communities and addressing their conditions.

This paper seeks to comprehend the broader social and economic dimensions of development in the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site region through the lens of local perspectives. In contrast, previous studies primarily focused on expert disputes regarding social protection policies.

Drawing on social justice theory this paper examines the distribution of impacts and responsibilities in the context of nuclear legacies. Through 40 semi-structured in-depth interviews with diverse stakeholders including NGO representatives, local doctors, social workers, individuals affected by radiation, and active youth, it was possible to capture various viewpoints and experiences. Employing social and environmental justice frameworks, these insights elucidate the complex interplay between nuclear history, environmental degradation, and regional development. By scrutinising how environmental degradation and health issues stemming from radiation exposure contribute to the region's economic decline, this study aims to propose the concerns of the local communities and what they need in their development.

By integrating social justice principles, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by regions impacted by nuclear legacies and advocates for equitable and inclusive development strategies.

Abstract:

Despite the use and importance of oil extraction the study of oil spill policy management is still limited. In Kazakhstan, approximately 50% of total exports and 30% of tax revenue comes from the oil sector where policy management has been historically weak. However, new developments in the ecological policy of Kazakhstan seek to remedy this shortcoming. Oil spills in Kazakhstan happen due to drilling, transportation, and natural leaks at various points around the country and in the Caspian Sea. This paper critically analyzes the main environmental codes and regulations in Kazakhstan relating to oil spill prevention. Through this analysis, we investigate the development of Kazakhstani pollution management and the monitoring and enforcement problems they still confront. This paper also considers Kazakhstani oil spill policies in the larger context of industrial and international policies and practices to consider how local policies complement and remain consistent with oil spill regulation internationally. The findings of this study show the enforcement capacity, complications, and effectiveness of the legislative frameworks created by the Kazakhstani government. Furthermore, this study provides an overview of the oil spill problem and its management strategy in emerging economy countries.

Abstract:

This paper examines how regional environmental issues of the Central Asian states emerged and were developed in documents published by the UN Environment Program (UNEP). It will trace the evolution of dominating themes and narratives produced by this international institution and focus on how Central Asia as a region was gradually integrated into the knowledge framework of the organization and within the global environmental and development agenda. Studies focused on policies and activities of international institutions in Central Asian context have proven to be a useful source of insight in understanding the development of civil society, healthcare sector as well as broader power relations between local and international actors. Some scholars have already highlighted the important role of international development agencies in influencing and shaping environmental policy in the region. However, academic publications on environmental issues are still very underrepresented in Central Asia studies. This paper aims to address the gap given the historical and present significance of this topic for the countries that involves important questions around the legacy of environmental catastrophes left by Soviet projects as well as contemporary problems around the use of natural resources and the general course for economic development. Methodologically, this study will draw from the tools and concepts from science and technology studies (STS). There have already been successful attempts to use the academic lens of STS to study urban space mobility, space politics as well as environmental issues in the context of the region. More specifically this paper will draw from literature that studies practices of institutional knowledge production relying on tools and methodologies of document-analysis and other related studies focused on how environmental issues are shaped and adapted to new concerns and changing priorities of international and local policy. Simultaneously, this work aims to open Central Asia studies to novel academic approaches and tools offered by different interdisciplinary traditions that focus on knowledge-power relations and practices around production and control of discourses in institutions. Focusing on regional environmental projects will also help to position the region in relation to the global environmental and development agenda.

Abstract:

The escalating impacts of climate change present a pressing global challenge that threatens the fundamental human rights of individuals and communities worldwide. Against this background this research aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between human rights and climate change governance, providing a roadmap for effective policy development and implementation both at domestic and international levels.

This paper explores the multidimensional intersection of human rights and climate change through a meticulous review of existing international legal frameworks, case studies, and the evolving discourse on climate justice. Hence, the author delves into the existing legal instruments and mechanisms that safeguard human rights within the context of climate change, including the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and various regional and national initiatives, inter alia within EU, as well as touches upon the BITs and FTAs that also address environmental element recently. The author critically assesses the strengths and weaknesses of these mechanisms and their effectiveness in addressing the human rights dimensions of climate change.

Furthermore, the research will present a policy framework that integrates human rights principles into climate change governance, offering concrete recommendations for governments, international intergovernmental organizations, businesses, and civil society actors to uphold the rights of affected individuals and ensure climate justice. The proposed framework focuses on the importance of inclusive decision-making, meaningful participation, and equitable access to adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as issues of international responsibility and access to effective remedies.