The original (and still core) sense of concern has its roots in Latin con = with and cernĕre = to separate (which also give us discern = distinguish, recognise with the dis = apart prefix).
That's to say, concern = pertain to, be about, relate to - effectively, OP's definition #2.
In fact, OP's initial definition superficial = not [concerned with anything] serious or important would seem perfectly adequate to me even with the [bracketed] portion removed entirely (it adds little extra meaning).
Outside of additional context, "This problem concerns me" could have several meanings, including...
it affects me - I have some kind of relationship to the problem
it's about me - I am central to the problem (but I may not care much anyway)
it's important to me - I care a lot (but may not be personally involved)
it worries me - I care a lot, and have reason to fear the eventual outcome may not be what I want
I hope that series of definitions gives some idea of how the meaning has become "stretched" over time.
The sentence "X is superficial" (from French superficiel = located at or on the surface) normally means...
X is shallow, frivolous - you won't find any "hidden depths" in X
X is only interested in outward appearances - X doesn't look for deeper meanings in anything
Thus although I said above that definition #2 applies for OP's purpose here, it's also possible to say that definitions #1 and #4 could apply...
superficial
1: not involving anything important
2: not about anything important
4: not interested in anything important
The one that hardly applies at all is #3. We wouldn't normally use "John is superficial" to mean John isn't anxious about, or upset by, important things (we'd say unflappable, nonchalant, even-tempered, etc.).
It is telling to note that ... is often used to draw more attention to a point, often with negative connotations.
In your example it would be factual to say
"The language of exclusive territoriality in disputes such as this one
originates with local authorities."
But the addition of It is telling to note that ... implies that the local authorities may not be acting in line with a higher authority.
A different example might be
The doctor did not perform a full examination prior to the patients
demise.
This simply states that the doctor did not perform a full examination.
However, adding in the phrase ...
It is telling to note that the doctor did not perform a full
examination prior to the patients demise.
implies that the doctor should have performed a full examination and had he done so the outcome may have been different.
Best Answer
The definitions of the verbs that you quoted explain the difference- in particular, the part to give your attention to something by discussing it or making a written record of it.
If you want to ask somebody to make pay attention to something, to remember it or to make a written note of it, you would say
If you want to say that something caught your attention, you should say
If you want to say that you gave something your attention, that you made a point of remembering something or that you wrote it down, you would say