Sustainable Development Aspects in the Model of Regional Competitiveness

The purpose of the study was to analyze the integration of sustainable development principles into regional competitiveness models and identify key aspects that determine their mutual influence.The research questions raised in the article are the following: Is there a statistically significant relationship between the competitiveness of a region and the achievement of sustainable regional development indicators?What approaches are used to define this relationship at the conceptual level and through correlation analysis?What components of sustainability (ESG) have the strongest impact on the competitive advantages of territories?The methods employed to achieve the research goal were the analysis of scientific publications on regional competitiveness and sustainable development and the comparison and systematization of empirical and theoretical data.The empirical base for the study was the results of the 2024 AV RCI competitiveness index for Russian regions and the ECGregion rating.Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors integrated into regional development form new competitive advantages, thus supporting not only economic growth but also the long-term stability of the territories.The importance of this study lies in the need to balance economic efficiency, social justice, and environmental responsibility in regional development.In this context, the issues of measuring and assessing the contribution of sustainable practices to the competitive positions of the regions are particularly important.