Search Results (351)

In 2022, the Russia–Ukraine conflict has severely impacted the EU’s energy supply chain, and the EU’s natural gas import pattern has begun to reconstruct, and exploring the spatiotemporal differentiation of EU natural gas trade and its driving factors is the basis for improving the resilience of its supply chain and ensuring the stable supply of energy resources. This paper summarizes the law of the change of its import volume by using the complex network method, constructs a multi-dimensional index system such as demand, economy, and security, and uses the geographic detector model to mine the driving factors affecting the spatiotemporal evolution of natural gas imports in EU countries and propose different sustainable development paths. The results show that from 2000 to 2023, Europe’s natural gas imports generally show an upward trend, and the import structure has undergone great changes, from pipeline gas dominance to LNG diversification. After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the number of import source countries has increased, the market network has become looser, France has become the core hub of the EU natural gas market, the importance of Russia has declined rapidly, and the status of countries in the United States, North Africa, and the Middle East has increased rapidly; natural gas consumption is the leading factor in the spatiotemporal differentiation of EU natural gas imports, and the influence of import distance and geopolitical risk is gradually expanding, and the proportion of energy consumption is significantly higher than that of other factors in the interaction with other factors. Combined with the driving factors, three different evolutionary directions of natural gas imports in EU countries are identified, and energy security paths such as improving supply chain control capabilities, ensuring export stability, and using location advantages to become hub nodes are proposed for different development trends. Full article

This study investigates the impact of cultural openness on intertemporal consumption behavior in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, using panel data from 14 countries spanning 2010 to 2022. Unlike prior research that primarily focused on lifestyle shifts or product preferences, this study explores how cultural globalization influences the trade-off between present consumption and future savings, as captured by the consumption-to-savings ratio (LCESR). Cultural openness is operationalized using the Cultural Globalization General Index (LCGGI), and its effect is analyzed alongside key control variables including Internet penetration, real GDP per capita, inflation, and tourism. To address endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity, this study employs the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, supported by robustness check models. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between cultural openness and LCESR in both the short and long run, indicating that increased exposure to global cultural flows enhances consumption tendencies in the region. Internet penetration and inflation negatively affect saving behavior, while GDP per capita shows a positive effect. Tourist arrivals exhibit limited influence. This study also highlights the importance of historical consumption behavior, as the lagged dependent variable strongly predicts the current LCESR. Robustness checks confirm the consistency of the results across all models. These insights suggest that cultural openness, digital infrastructure, and macroeconomic stability are pivotal in shaping consumption/saving patterns. The results carry important implications for financial education, digital consumption governance, and cultural policy strategies in the MENA region and similar emerging markets undergoing rapid cultural integration. Full article

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a key crop in the arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East, with substantial socioeconomic value. Although multiple genome assemblies have been generated using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, they primarily focus on Middle Eastern cultivars, leaving North African varieties unrepresented. This study aims to address this gap by sequencing and assembling the first genome of a North African date palm using Illumina sequencing technology. We present a draft genome assembly of the elite Tunisian variety Deglet Nour. By comparing it with the Barhee BC4 reference genome, we identify key genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (INDELs), potentially associated with ripening processes and fruit quality. This work expands the genomic resources for date palm research, particularly for North African cultivars, and provides new insights into the nucleotide-level variability of the genes linked to key agronomic traits. Full article

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on corporate tax avoidance in the banking industry, focusing on banks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study employs regression analysis on a sample of 123 banks in the MENA region, covering the period from 2011 to 2022. The results indicate a negative relationship between digital transformation and tax avoidance, with conventional banks showing a stronger inclination to adopt these trends compared to Islamic banks. Digital transformation is identified as an effective mechanism that enhances transparency and mitigates tax avoidance activities. Full article

Amid growing environmental concerns and an increasing push for sustainable development, countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have taken proactive steps toward green growth, energy transition, and technological innovation. As a result, this study examines the effects of green growth, energy transition, technological innovation, financial inclusion, and urbanization on environmental sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Moreover, this study breaks new ground by exposing the hidden environmental costs of financial inclusion, urbanization, and technological innovation in the MENA region’s development trajectory, thereby providing compelling evidence for rethinking sustainability through an integrated approach that aligns economic ambition with ecological responsibility. Data for the studied variables were sourced from the World Bank database covering the period 1990 to 2021. The results show that green growth and energy transition significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, supporting the idea that economic expansion aligned with environmental priorities can contribute to ecological improvement. However, the impact of technological innovation is statistically insignificant, indicating that innovation in the region has not yet translated into meaningful environmental gains, possibly due to the dominance of non-green or industrial-focused innovation. Financial inclusion is found to increase CO₂ emissions, likely by facilitating greater access to credit and financial services that fuel energy-intensive consumption and production activities. Similarly, urbanization also contributes to rising emissions, reflecting the unsustainable nature of urban growth in many MENA region. Based on this study, we advocate for a coordinated regional approach to climate and energy policy, underpinned by shared governance and collective action. Full article

Consanguinity is the marriage of two related persons. This type of marriage is one of the main pillars when it comes to recessive hereditary diseases, birth defects, infertility, miscarriages, abortion, and infant deaths. Intermarriage continues to be a common practice in various communities in North Africa, the Middle East, and West and South Asia, as well as among migrants from Europe and North America, even though in more and more countries it has become illegal. Even if security and stability are some of the motivations for consanguineous marriage, studies show that women often suffer physical and verbal abuse from their husbands. However, because of the blood bond, tolerance for these habits is much higher. In addition, it seems that the divorce rate is much lower because separation would affect the entire state of the family. The choice of partner is significantly influenced by variables such as limited access to education and financial resources. Illiterate people coming from poor rural areas are much more likely to choose consanguineous marriage to maintain wealth in the family. The lack of medical knowledge about the negative effects of consanguinity leads to an increased rate of abortions, infant deaths, and births of children with congenital birth defects. Today, because of the process of urbanization and increased levels of knowledge, the younger generation is becoming increasingly less receptive to this particular form of marriage. In addition, as education has become more accessible to women, they have become more independent and eager to fulfill their own goals and not the wishes of the family. In conclusion, contrary to the many apparent advantages of consanguineous marriage, partners should put genetic risks first, as medical problems bring with them increased costs in the medical system and also within the family, leading to even lower economic status and consequently perpetuation of this type of marriage. Full article

Background: In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, organizational agility (OA) has become increasingly critical for companies to maintain competitiveness and sustainability. Business intelligence (BI) is pivotal in enabling organizational agility by providing the necessary tools and insights to navigate uncertainties and capitalize on opportunities. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between BI and organizational agility, particularly within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The systematic literature review followed Kitchenham’s guidelines, which was supplemented with a VOS analysis to visualize the interconnectedness of BI and organizational agility. The analysis revealed a direct relationship between BI and organizational agility, with the critical variables of innovation, competitive advantage, firm performance, and dynamic capabilities influencing this connection. The MENA region shows promise in contributing to this field, but further research is needed. Leveraging BI capabilities can enhance organizational agility, positioning companies for sustained success amidst uncertainty. Addressing challenges and fostering a supportive organizational culture is essential for realizing the full potential of BI-driven agility. This study makes an original and timely contribution by examining the relationship between business intelligence (BI) and organizational agility (OA) through a systematic literature review across multiple countries. The study focuses specifically on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which has received insufficient attention in previous research. Unlike previous studies that focus on isolated cases, this work combines bibliometric analysis with a structured review methodology. It provides a clear summary of how BI supports key outcomes such as innovation, dynamic capabilities, and competitive advantage Full article

Climate change is a pressing global issue with severe consequences for the planet and human health. The Earth’s temperature has risen by 2 °C from 1901 to 2023, and this warming trend is expected to continue, causing potentially dangerous shifts in climate. Climate change impacts are already visible, with more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, intense rain, and floods becoming increasingly common. Therefore, hydropower can contribute to addressing the global climate change issue and help to achieve global energy transition and stabilize global energy security. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based model implemented in Python for global and regional hydropower forecasting was developed for a study period of 2023 to 2060 by taking the input data from 1980 to 2022. The results revealed that Asian countries have greater hydropower potential, which is expected to increase from 1926.51 TWh in 2023 to 2318.78 TWh in 2030, 2772.06 TWh in 2040, 2811.41 TWh in 2050, and 3195.79 TWh in 2060, as compared with the other regions of the world like the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Common Wealth of Independent State (CIS), Europe, North America, and South and Central America. The global hydropower potential is also expected to increase from 4350.12 TWh in 2023 to 4806.26 TWh in 2030, 5393.80 TWh in 2040, 6003.53 TWh in 2050, and 6644.06 TWh in 2060, which is sufficient for achieving energy transition and energy security goals. Furthermore, the performance and accuracy of the LSTM-based model were found to be 98%. This study will help in the efficient scheduling and management of hydropower resources, reducing uncertainties caused by environmental variability such as precipitation and runoff. The proposed model contributes to the energy transition and security that is needed to meet the global climate targets. Full article

Using panel data spanning 2004–2023 of 21 countries in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, we measure systemic risk and assess its influence on key banking sector performance indicators, including financial stability (proxied by commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults), providing evidence from the emerging market context. One of the key findings of the study is the pivotal role played by financial access in promoting banking stability. In particular, the density and outreach of commercial banking branches were shown to have a stabilizing effect on the banking system. Also, findings reveal that systemic risk significantly undermines bank stability and operational efficiency while constraining financial depth. The study contributes to the literature by offering empirical evidence on the adverse effects of systemic risk in a region characterized by financial volatility and structural vulnerabilities. These findings align with existing global evidence that links financial development with reduced systemic risk, yet they also offer new empirical insights that are contextually relevant to the MENA region. The findings provide actionable recommendations for policymakers. Regulatory authorities in the MENA region should consider strategies that not only enhance the robustness of financial institutions but also promote inclusive access to banking services. The dual focus on institutional soundness and outreach could serve as a cornerstone for sustainable financial stability. Tailored policies that encourage branch expansion in underserved areas, coupled with incentives for inclusive banking practices, may yield long-term benefits by reducing the concentration of risk and improving the responsiveness of the financial system to external shocks. Full article

Designing physical environments that are safe, functional, and equitable for all users is crucial to understanding the needs and requirements of the local community from a gender perspective, to achieve gender equality and women’s safety in the public realm. In the Saudi context, international assessments of women’s rights still acknowledge the country as one of the most prominent examples of structural gender inequality, both in the world and relative to regional peers within the Middle East and North Africa. This research aims to illuminate women’s mobility behavior as a tool for women’s inclusion in the built environment, supporting policymakers to design projects that build more inclusive cities for women. This research examines the dynamic relationship between women’s mobility and the built environment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within the context of Vision 2030. By employing a mixed-method approach, including literature reviews and a comprehensive survey, the research highlights critical indicators such as safety, cultural norms, and infrastructure. The research concludes that safety, cultural and social norms, and the availability of public facilities significantly impact women’s ease of mobility. The paper reaches an actionable recommendation for policymakers to create more inclusive urban environments that support women’s aspirations and needs, ultimately contributing to a more equitable society that supports the expectations and needs of all women in Riyadh. Full article

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. Disease etiology and pathogenesis are still not well understood. Genetic mutations are associated with 70% of epilepsies, while 30% are still enigmatic. Attempting to close the knowledge gap, we performed genetic analysis of a cohort of patients from the Middle East and North Africa, both understudied and highly consanguineous populations. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on 81 patients and their family members at a tertiary center in Qatar. We found damaging mutations in half of the patients: 15 in known epilepsy genes, and 19 in contested or unknown genes. The mutations include single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNVs), frameshifts, copy number variations (CNVs), and loss of homozygosity (LOH). Fifteen of the SNVs are novel, and seventeen are homozygous, reflective of the characteristics of the cohort. In addition, we used the WES data to type HLA alleles for 13 class I and II genes. We show that DRB3*01:01:02G is negatively associated with epilepsy, in contrast to DRB4*01:01:01G, which may be a risk allele. In addition to expanding the knowledge base of genes involved in epilepsy, our findings show that genetic predisposition, inclusive of immune genes, suggests a complex etiology. Full article

The Global Health Network Middle East and North Africa (TGHN MENA) was officially launched on 21 October 2024, representing a pivotal initiative to address the region’s distinct and complex public health challenges. Building on the comprehensive global framework of the central TGHN network, the regional TGHN MENA network was founded by region-based experts with support from the TGHN team. The network was established as a pioneering initiative to bring together 18 partners from 14 countries, representing various sectors such as academia, policymakers, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, to tackle pressing issues such as chronic diseases, mental health, and climate change impacts. High-level panel discussions were held to define the goals of TGHN MENA in building resilient public health systems. This perspective outlines the network’s vision for building resilient health systems through research prioritization and capacity strengthening, amidst growing uncertainties in the regional public health landscape. The MENA region has diverse and complex public health challenges related to health systems, emergencies, chronic disease, mental health disorders, and climate change, due to cultural, social, and geographic differences. The TGHN MENA network is a community of practice and can identify commonalities and priorities and find shareable solutions. Key strategies proposed include establishing an open-access, online platform to support knowledge exchange, implementing on-the-job training and capacity-strengthening initiatives, and emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence in public health research. This perspective outlines TGHN MENA’s inaugural one-year action plan, which emphasizes regular knowledge-sharing activities, capacity-building initiatives, and sustained partners’ commitment as foundational steps towards improved public health outcomes in the region. Full article

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has faced challenges like political instability and economic fluctuations, which have impacted non-performing loans (NPL) levels. At the same time, over the years, reforms and regulations have encouraged stronger board structures to enhance corporate governance and improve risk management. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how board characteristics affect non-performing in the MENA region. Board characteristics shape governance quality, which influences risk management and reduces banks’ risk-taking behaviours. Hence, effective governance can reduce non-performing loans by improving oversight and credit decisions. To this end, we used a sample of 70 banks operating in 12 countries in the MENA region from 2010 to 2022. The System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) was employed as an empirical technique. To benefit from a comparative analysis, we divided the entire sample into two subsamples. The first subsample covers six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with 42 banks. The second subsample is also relative to six non-Gulf Cooperation Council (non-GCC) countries with 28 banks. The empirical findings indicate that the presence of independent board members, a higher number of female board members, board remuneration, and the board index decrease NPLs across all regions, including MENA, GCC, and non-GCC. However, we found that board size, tenure, and duality increase NPLs. The results of this paper are beneficial for both policymakers and bankers, as they provide insights into how governance through board characteristics influences credit risk. These results support better decision-making in board appointments and governance practices to improve risk management and reduce non-performing loans. Full article

Leishmaniasis are infectious diseases caused by several parasitic species of Leishmania, mainly transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandflies. Humans, dogs, rodents, and other domestic and wild animals can act as reservoir hosts for the different Leishmania species. It is a neglected tropical disease that is endemic in Asia, the Middle East, North and East Africa, the Mediterranean region, and South and Central America. Clinical manifestations and disease severity depend on the species of the infecting parasites and the immunity status of the host. Leishmania represses the protective host immune response by manipulating the macrophage function, subverting cytokine expression to favor its survival and dissemination. A balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory cells is necessary to bring a positive outcome. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment represent the cornerstone in the control of this disease, although these are difficult in an environment of precariousness and poverty. Some recent studies highlighted the progressing work on diagnosis and treatments, such as the development of new benzimidazole-triazole derivatives for blocking the parasite growth, feline leishmaniasis with a comparison of immune responses in cats and dogs, and a transglutaminase that has been purified from L. infantum. The results of these studies could open new avenues in combating leishmaniasis. Full article

This study investigates the impact of financial technology (Fintech) on bank stability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Utilizing panel data from 94 banks in 10 countries over a 13-year period from 2011 to 2023, this research employs panel GMM regression to examine the relationship between the level of Fintech adoption, as measured by the Fintech index, and a bank’s stability. This paper controls for bank characteristics (efficiency, profitability, size, liquidity risk, and dividend payout ratio) and macroeconomic variables (GDP growth and inflation). The Fintech index is calculated using data text mining from the banks’ annual reports. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the positive effects of Fintech adoption in the MENA banking sector. The positive findings underscore the transformative impact of Fintech on banking stability, highlighting the importance of technological integration in MENA’s financial institutions for growth, stability, and effective strategies. The robustness of the results regression confirmed that our findings hold. Full article