It is clear that countries in each region have specific needs and resources, as well as different levels of vulnerability to epidemics, and therefore have to deal with their own complexities that require local and specific solutions. While regional cooperation is not the silver bullet that will solve the problems caused by COVID-19, it can be part of the solution, especially in the Global South. To this end, the cooperation mechanisms themselves must be strengthened. In some cases, this will require safeguarding countries` short-term personal interests and promoting binding solutions to avoid inaction. It will also require political pragmatism and solutions tailored to specific regional contexts. The COVID-19 crisis has already shown us the cost of non-cooperation, now is the time to use existing structures to control the current pandemic and, more importantly, better prepare for the next one. Some argue that the desire for closer integration is generally linked to a greater desire to open nation-states to the outside world, or that regional economic cooperation is pursued as a means of promoting development through greater efficiency rather than as a means of discriminating against others. [Citation needed] It is also claimed that the members of these agreements hope that they will succeed as cornerstones of progress with a growing range of partners and on the path to a generally freer and more open global environment for trade and investment[citation needed] and that integration is not an end in itself, but a process to support economic growth strategies. more social equality and democratization. [6] However, regional integration strategies, as pursued by economic and national interests, particularly over the past 30 years, have also been highly controversial in civil society. There is no conclusive evidence that economic deregulation or enhanced investor protection strategies implemented as forms of regional integration have successfully contributed to “progress” in sustainable economic growth, as the number of economic crises worldwide has increased in frequency and intensity in recent decades. There is also growing evidence that the forms of regional integration used by nation-states have in fact exacerbated social inequalities and reduced democratic accountability. [Citation needed] Due to the persistent contradiction between the old promises of regional integration and real experience, the demand of the entire global civil society for alternative forms of regional integration has increased.
[7] [2] The post-war crisis of order led to the emergence of a new global political structure. This new global political structure has rendered obsolete the classic Westphalian concept of a system of sovereign states for the conceptualization of world politics. [Citation needed] The concept of sovereignty has become looser, and the old legal definitions of the ultimate and fully autonomous power of a nation-state no longer make sense. [Citation needed] Sovereignty, which has gained importance as a confirmation of cultural identity, has lost importance as power over the economy. [Citation needed] All regional integration projects during the Cold War were built on the Westphalian state system and were intended to serve both economic growth and security motives by supporting state-building objectives. [Citation needed] Regional integration and globalization are two phenomena that have called into question the world order already existing based on sovereign States since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Both processes have a strong impact on the stability of the Westphalian state system and thus contribute to both disorder and a new world order. [Citation needed] AfDB projects contribute directly to the roads, power lines, bridges, ports and border crossings that connect member countries and promote growth and development throughout the region. The Bank has also prioritized the development of trade agreements, treaties and regional institutions that facilitate cooperation and closer integration. The AfDB is also committed to helping the region jointly address transnational challenges such as pollution, climate change, pandemics such as COVID-19 and financial shocks.
Regional Integration Agreements (RIAs) have led to important developments in international relations between and between many countries, in particular an increase in international trade and investment, as well as the formation of regional trading blocs. Fundamental to the multifaceted process of globalization, regional integration has been an important development in international relations in recent years. Regional integration agreements have therefore become very important. Not only do almost all industrialized countries participate in such agreements, but a large number of developing countries are also part of at least one and, in any case, more than one such agreement. At the same time, regional organizations can facilitate the joint procurement of life-saving medicines, medical supplies and other equipment through joint procurement. This not only ensures a lower price through bulk purchases, but also balances the bargaining power of countries, especially low-income countries, that would otherwise not be competitive. Mercosur, in collaboration with PAHO`s Strategic Fund, began experimenting in 2015 to jointly procure expensive drugs, initially for the treatment of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, resulting in savings of approximately $20 million [13]. Deep Integration Recognition analyzes the aspect that effective integration is a much broader aspect and surpasses the idea that reducing tariffs, quotas and barriers provides effective solutions. Rather, it recognizes the concept that additional barriers tend to segment markets. This hinders the free movement of goods and services, as well as ideas and investments. It is therefore now recognized that the current traditional trade policy framework is not sufficient to remove these barriers. Such deep integration was implemented for the first time in the Programme for the Single Market in the European Union.
However, in the light of the modern context, this debate is introduced into the clauses of various regional integration agreements resulting from the increase in international trade. [10] (EU). As already mentioned, it is not possible to classify all regional organizations; We know that they differ in their composition, institutionalization and approach to health [6]. However, there are opportunities for cooperation, either as formalized institutions or as ad hoc institutions created to deal with the pandemic. Below we describe some examples of areas where regional groupings can take action to address COVID-19 or other health emergencies. Despite the lack of research on this topic, it is clear that the current COVID-19 situation in practice shows the cost of non-cooperation. We have seen uncoordinated quarantine measures; containment measures and border closures (leading to traffic jams in some border towns); unorganized repatriation of foreigners from several countries; uncoordinated measures to control and facilitate trade in medical supplies; inter alia. The lack of coordination in all these cases has led either to unnecessary spread of the virus to neighbouring countries and/or to sub-optimal use of medical care and infrastructure.
The AfDB supports strengthening infrastructure connectivity between countries and improving trade, financial and investment relations.