Exploring the Nexus and Utilities Between Regional and Global Ocean Governance Architecture

Abstract

Regional and global ocean governance share complex, co-evolutionary histories in which both regimes – among others – interacted with and used the ocean and resources therein to consolidate, expand, and express power. Simultaneously, regional and global ocean governance relations have changed continuously, particularly when we are trying to understand their differences within the logic of regionalisation, regionalism, and globalisation. The paper is generally based on deductive reasoning and reflects scholarship in security studies, political science, international law, international relation, development studies, and African studies. It delves into the critical aspect of understanding the nexus/relationship between regional and global ocean governance in critical traditional and contemporary ocean policy domains, specifically from an African regional ocean governance standpoint. Ocean governance processes that are historically confronted by globalisation, multilateralism, and post-colonisation are confronted by the rise of regionalism, especially the need for nation-states and regions to respond to and manage traditional and emerging ocean challenges. Responses to these challenges by various actors, including states, economic blocks, private sector, financial institutions, and non-governmental organisations, development partners, etc., result in different forms of relationships that refocus regions’ activities toward globally defined ocean agendas. A review of different policy domains (including maritime security, environmental, economic, and socio-political governance) critical for regional ocean governance sets a robust background for understanding the contextual factors and concerns inherent in the regional-global ocean governance nexus. These outcomes, therefore, help us to arrive at a five-fold taxonomy of different types/degrees of linkages developed around the regional-global ocean governance relationship spectrum described as (1) discrete, (2) conflictual, (3) cooperative, (4) symmetric, and (5) ambiguous. Comparatively, experience and perspective from Africa are utilised to support raised arguments about these linkages. Furthermore, this spectrum allows for the diagnosis of the utilities and most prevalent arguments that regional governance’s effectiveness is directly related to the nature of the interaction between regional governance schemes and global governance; and vice-versa. This paper’s outcomes reveal how government, institutions, actors, and researchers address the relationship between regional and global ocean governance and generate a valuable way to think about current and future global and regional ocean governance direction while outlining some logical possibilities for an effective form of ocean governance.

The global governance of marine plastic pollution: rethinking the extended producer responsibility system

“…Under the resource management requirements of nation states, the growth of the marine economy has a corresponding sovereignty attribute, and because of the oceans' natural interdependence, protecting the marine environment also serves as a means of advancing global human interests and determining the direction of multi-party governance and consultation. It is therefore impossible to separate marine environmental governance from the coherence and coordination of the global framework, and regionalism and globalism have a "symmetrical" relationship in which global governance serves as the coordinator of action and regional governance as its component (Adewumi, 2021).…”

Coastal Regions of Ukraine: Governance Transformation amid the Russian Invasion

“…The basis of such cooperation is a specific water area's geographical (regional) peculiarity. According to Adewumi (2021), regionalism in maritime governance comprises the institutionalization and coordination of efforts geared at common coastal and marine challenges, with cumulative effects that involve different actors via binding or non-binding rules, regulations, actions, strategies, and policies enforced by regionally mandated organizations. MARPOL 73/78, according to which the Black Sea is defined as a "special area, " is an example of the manifestation of maritime regionalism in the aspect of international legal regulation of a specific type of maritime activity in a particular area of marine space (universal international legal regulation of a global nature).…”

Regionalism Beyond Land Borders: Strengthening regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean through blue economy policies

“…Thus, questioning and relativizing these conceptual foundations of IR and economics to better tackle the challenges and opportunities regarding regional integration beyond land borders requires new theoretical contours, analytical designs, discursive practices, collaborative policies, and interdisciplinary contributions. Avoiding mimicking a kind of maritime nationalism (Suárez de Vivero and Rodríguez Mateos 2002) is mandatory, as it goes against the trend of regionalizing ocean governance (Adewumi 2021). In line with current views in international politics, ocean regionalization should focus on the principle of sustainable development (Vallega 2002), which would incorporate new challenges in concepts, practices, and methodologies to address regional governance and integration.…”