Digitalization of international relations of Russian regions (the case of the Republic of Tatarstan)

Being involved in complex processes of global politics, subnational actors face a lot of challenges, including the growing impact of global digitalization of international relations. The subject of this study are issues of practical use of information technologies in paradiplomacy and adequate response by regional authorities to digital transformation of international relations. Studying the case of the Republic of Tatarstan which systematically applies digital technologies in the field of international relations contributed to identifying priority areas for digitalization of paradiplomacy. The study used regulations and state origin documents of federal and regional levels, and materials produced by international organizations. Basic trends of digitalization of paradiplomacy include issues of development and implementation of management decisions based on the interaction of remote partners together with information support for international cooperation. The work considers the variety of implementation of digital technologies, identifies status of communication members in paradiplomacy, and diff erent forms of communication. The importance of integrating electronic document management with information systems to support decision making is substantiated. The issues of creating special purpose information services for participants in foreign economic activity, cultural and humanitarian relations are considered. The experience of the Republic of Tatarstan testifi es the need of legal regulation at the regional level to provide effi cient use of information technologies by government authorities. Actual areas of digitalization include development of feedback forms with participants in external relations and creating computer systems of processing data sets to substantiate decision-making.