Annotation. The Arctic is one of the most inaccessible regions in the world, which for a long time was not considered from an economic and military point of view due to human technical unpreparedness for extreme conditions. However, scientific and technological progress, combined with climate change, has changed the situation. More and more countries are heading to the North Pole. States close to the Arctic began to compete with each other for a leading role in the development of the economic resources of the region. Increased economic activity has exacerbated territorial claims even among states whose borders are outside the Arctic Circle. Without international legal regulation, the Arctic region could become an arena for a conflict on a global scale.
The start of the Special Military Operation in February 2022 and subsequent sanctions from Western countries, as well as sabotage of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, led to the renewal of the Arctic strategies of the circumpolar states with an emphasis on the military aspect. Today, the region hosts military bases of the United States of America and the Russian Federation, and each state is determined to increase its military presence depending on the military activity of the other side, which, in turn, determines the relevance of the problem under consideration.
The article is based on research by domestic and foreign authors on the Arctic strategy of circumpolar and non-Arctic countries and their possible confrontation. The goal is to determine the range of possible threats and military conflicts in the Arctic.
Key words: Arctic, threats, militarization, Arctic strategies, demilitarization.

Abstract. The purpose of this study is a comprehensive analysis of the foundations of China’s foreign policy in the context of the formation of a decentralized system of global regulation of international relations. The research objectives predetermined the need to identify endogenous and exogenous factors influencing China’s geostrategy, as well as to study China’s foreign policy in the global and regional dimensions.
As a result of the study, a general conclusion was made that China’s foreign policy strategy is focused on the formation of a system of decentralized global regulation of international relations. At the same time, the formation of a new world order presupposes one of the key roles of China in the development of global policy, the development of a regional system of international relations in East Asia and the identification of China’s political system with the regional system of regulation of international relations in the foreseeable future.
The implementation of China’s geostrategy is facilitated by the peculiarities of collective identity, the interpretation of its own statehood and the stability of China’s political system from external regulation.
Key words: China’s foreign policy, decentralization of global regulation of international relations, multipolarity, globalization of political processes, regionalization of political processes, China, international relations.

Abstract. The article examines the problem of discrimination against albinos in the countries of Tropical Africa using the example of the situation in the United Republic of Tanzania. The origins of stigmatization based on skin color against representatives of this social minority, the current situation of albinos on the continent, as well as existing measures to support them and prospects in this area are analyzed. In Tropical Africa, where any processes in the political, socio-economic and spiritual spheres of society are inextricably linked with traditional beliefs, the ground is being created for speculation on the belief in the albino bodies’ magical power. Mythological ideas about the power of amulets made from albino flesh go deep into the archaic consciousness of Africans. This allows transnational organized crime to thrive in the highly profitable human organ trade, where victims are albinos. Parts of white-skinned Africans’ bodies are sold for tens of thousands of US dollars on the black market. The criminal chain involves healers who enjoy the trust of all segments of society, from ordinary citizens to the elite; highly paid hired killers who receive large profits against the low incomes of the population; and solvent customers, which in African realities indicates their undoubted belonging to the top of power and business. The number of horrific attacks on albinos is growing rapidly during election campaigns. Ahead of the upcoming 2025 general elections in Tanzania, people demand that the country’s leadership take urgent measures to ensure security, rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable part of society. The international community expects governments of countries where people with albinism are being persecuted and killed, to take decisive action to stop the illegal activities of criminal groups and guarantee respect for human rights.
Key words: albinism, Africa, discrimination, human rights protection, traditional beliefs, dehumanization, criminal business, Tanzania, Ukerewe Island, human trafficking, transnational organized crime (TOC), social minority.

Abstract. Approaches to the formation of a “basket” of reserve currencies and the use of national currencies in international financial relations are highly controversial, and their relevance is increasing due to manifestations of geopolitical tension on a global scale. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the formation of world reserve currencies in the context of globalization. The object of the study is the world monetary and financial system and the international financial organizations that ensure its activities, within the framework of which the mechanisms for regulating international financial relations operate. The subject of the study is the currencies of developed countries: the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, yen, as well as the PRC currency yuan, which are entrusted with the functions of forming world currency reserves by global governance bodies. The chronological framework for the analysis of the structure and dynamics of world reserve currencies is presented by the period from 1996 to 2024. Data on actual and projected growth rates of world GDP per capita cover the period from 2006 to 2025. In preparing the work, a number of general scientific and applied research methods were used, special scientific terminology was applied. The results of the study revealed trends in changes in the dynamics of world reserve currencies and their role in international settlements; presented mechanisms of influence of international financial institutions on global processes in the currency and financial sphere; established current trends in the formation of world currency reserves, changes in the positioning of world reserve currencies in global financial relations.
Keywords: globalization, world currency reserves, international relations, geopolitical factor, international financial organizations, positioning of national currencies.

Abstract. Today we live in a world of technology and innovation. They are increasingly penetrating into the most diverse areas of our lives. The economic sphere was no exception. One of the most promising financial instruments today is the Central Bank’s digital currencies. Their implementation makes it possible to speed up, reduce the cost and secure transactions while ensuring their transparency. The use of central securities in international settlements is also beneficial, especially in modern conditions of Western sanctions pressure, when the need to find alternatives has intensified. However, for the full implementation of the Central Bank’s digital currencies into the international financial structure, it is necessary to establish cooperation between countries in the context of the multi-level development of the Central Bank and direct common efforts to create a single digital platform.
In the course of the work, empirical (comparison, as well as observation) and theoretical (analogy, modeling, comparison) methods of work were used.
The overview of the level of development of central securities of different countries (in particular, the EAEU and BRICS member countries) has revealed the most promising areas for the regulated development of the digital currency market, which include cooperation and modernization and optimization of existing institutions under the conditions necessary to scale the system of international transactions using digital currencies of the Central Bank.
Key words: digital currency, digitalization, digital economy, global economy, digital ruble, digital yuan.

Abstract. This article examines the process of increasing complexity of Colombian criminal groups which is facilitated by their transformation into a network form of organization. This leads to decentralization and greater adaptability of criminal organizations and as a result of which they more effectively counter the state. It is shown that networkization along with the militarization of criminal organizations maintains the state of internal armed conflict in Colombia which is transformed from an irregular war into a non-classical war in the form of a criminal insurgency. It has been established that Colombian criminal organizations are de facto political entities as they are able to exercise territorial control and act as parties to an internal armed conflict that persists despite the 2016 peace agreements. The intensity of this conflict has decreased but it has not ended. It is concluded that in reality the post-conflict phase in Colombia has not occurred. The tactics of security forces under various Colombian governments since 2016 are shown as well as the impact of the internal armed conflict on neighboring states. It has been established that the transformation of the irregular war in Colombia into a criminal insurgency has a geopolitical impact through cross-border crime and the interaction of Colombian groups with Mexican and Ecuadorian criminal organizations. It is concluded that drug production has increased in the criminal insurgency in Colombia the profits from which strengthen international terrorist and criminal organizations. This poses a threat to global security.
Keywords: Colombia, internal armed conflict, non-classical wars, criminal insurgency, irregular war, non-state violent actors, criminal organizations, fragmentation, networkization.

Abstract. This article describes the Assembly of scientific societies of Russia, held from October, 11 to October, 12, 2024 in online offline format. More than 500 people from 30 scientific and educational organizations and scientific societies of Russia took part in the work of the Assembly. The article is devoted to the results of the Assembly of scientific societies of Russia
Key words: scientific societies of Russia, Moscow Society of Naturalist. Lomonosov Moscow state university, 270 years of MSU, 220 years of MSON.