Search Results (141)

The right to development, an inherent human right for all, emphasizes that all individuals and communities have the right to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from development that ensures the full realization of human rights. In Kenya, where a significant portion of the population faces poverty and vulnerability to climate change, access to rights-based needs such as clean water, healthcare, and education still remains a critical challenge. This study explored the implementation of a Human Rights-Based approach to community development through a Public–Private Development Partnership model (PPDP), with a focus on alleviating poverty and improving access to rights-based services at the community level in Narok and Nakuru counties. The research aimed to identify critical success factors for scaling the PPDP model and explore its effects on socio-economic empowerment. The study employed a mixed-methods approach for data collection, using questionnaires to obtain quantitative data, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with community members, local leaders, and stakeholders to gather qualitative data. We cleaned and analyzed all our data in R (version 4.4.3) and used the chi-square to establish the significance of differences between areas where the PPDP model was implemented and control areas where it was not. Results reveal that communities with the PPDP model experienced statistically significant improvements in employment, income levels, and access to rights-based services compared to control areas. The outcomes underscore the potential of the PPDP model to address inclusive and sustainable development. This study therefore proposes a scalable pathway beginning with access to rights-based needs, followed by improved service delivery, and culminating in economic empowerment. These findings offer valuable insights for governments, development practitioners, investment agencies, and researchers seeking community-driven developments in similar socio-economic contexts across Africa. For the first time, it can be adopted in the design and implementation of development projects in rural and local communities across Africa bringing into focus the need to integrate rights-based needs at the core of the project. Full article

This paper proposes an incentive scheme based on a public–private partnership (PPP) to encourage low-carbon travel behavior by inducing the mode choice shift from private cars to public transit. The scheme involves three key entities: travelers, the government, and the private sector. Travelers can choose between private cars and public transit, producing different emissions. As the leader, the government aims to reduce total emission to a certain level with limited budgets. The private sector, as an intermediary, invests subsidies in low-carbon rewards to attract green travelers and benefits from a larger user pool. A two-layer multi-objective optimization model is proposed, which includes travel time, monetary cost, and emission. The objective of the upper level is to maximize the utilities of the private sector and minimize social costs to the government. The lower layer is the user equilibrium of the travelers. The numerical results obtained through heuristic algorithms demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve a triple-win situation, where all stakeholders benefit. Moreover, sensitivity analysis finds that prioritizing pollution control strategies will be beneficial to the government only if the unit pollution control cost coefficient is below a low threshold. Contrary to intuition, larger government subsidies do not necessarily lead to better promotion of low-carbon travel. Full article

Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, offers a promising path toward deep decarbonisation in energy systems. This study investigates the major technological, infrastructural, and economic challenges facing green hydrogen production in Jordan—a resource-constrained yet renewable-rich country. Key barriers were identified through a structured survey of 52 national stakeholders, including water scarcity, low electrolysis efficiency, limited grid compatibility, and underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Respondents emphasised that overcoming these challenges requires investment in smart grid technologies, seawater desalination, advanced electrolysers, and policy instruments such as subsidies and public–private partnerships. These findings are consistent with global assessments, which recognise similar structural and financial obstacles in scaling up green hydrogen across emerging economies. Despite the constraints, over 50% of surveyed stakeholders expressed optimism about Jordan’s potential to develop a competitive green hydrogen sector, especially for industrial and power generation uses. This paper provides empirical, context-specific insights into the conditions required to scale green hydrogen in developing economies. It proposes an integrated roadmap focusing on infrastructure modernisation, targeted financial mechanisms, and enabling policy frameworks. Full article

Cross-docking operations in Eastern and Central European markets face increasing complexity amid persistent uncertainty and inflationary pressures. This study provides the first comprehensive comparative analysis integrating economic efficiency with sustainability indicators across strategic locations. Using mixed-methods analysis of 40 bibliographical sources and quantitative modeling of cross-docking scenarios in Bratislava, Prague, and Budapest, we integrate environmental, social, and governance frameworks with activity-based costing and artificial intelligence analysis. Optimized cross-docking achieves statistically significant cost reductions of 10.61% for Eastern and Central European inbound logistics and 3.84% for Western European outbound logistics when utilizing Budapest location (p < 0.01). Activity-based costing reveals labor (35–40%), equipment utilization (25–30%), and facility operations (20–25%) as primary cost drivers. Budapest demonstrates superior integrated performance index incorporating operational efficiency (94.2% loading efficiency), economic impact (EUR 925,000 annual savings), and environmental performance (486 tons CO₂ reduction annually). This is the first empirically validated framework integrating activity-based costing–corporate social responsibility methodologies for an emerging market cross-docking, multi-dimensional performance assessment model transcending operational-sustainability dichotomy and location-specific contingency identification for emerging market implementation. Findings support targeted infrastructure investments, harmonized regulatory frameworks, and public–private partnerships for sustainable logistics development in emerging European markets, providing actionable roadmap for EUR 142,000–EUR 187,000 artificial intelligence implementation investments achieving a 14.6-month return on investment. Full article

Smart water management (SWM) represents a transformative shift in urban water governance, integrating advanced digital technologies—including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital twin modeling—to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and adaptive decision-making. While drawing extensively on a structured literature review to build its theoretical foundation, this manuscript is primarily presented as a research paper that combines conceptual analysis with empirical insights derived from comparative case studies, rather than a standalone comprehensive review. A five-layer system architecture—encompassing data sensing, transmission, processing, intelligent analysis, and decision support—is introduced to evaluate how technological components interact across operational layers. The model is applied to two representative cases: Singapore’s Smart Water Grid and selected pilot programs in Chinese cities (Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Beijing). These cases are analyzed for their level of digital integration, policy alignment, and performance outcomes, offering insights into both mature and emerging smart water implementations. Findings indicate that the transition from manual to intelligent governance significantly enhances system performance and robustness, particularly in response to climate-induced disruptions. Despite benefits such as reduced non-revenue water and improved pollution control, challenges including high initial investment, data interoperability issues, and cybersecurity risks remain critical barriers to widespread adoption. Policy recommendations focus on establishing national standards, promoting cross-sectoral data sharing, encouraging public–private partnerships, and investing in workforce development to support the long-term sustainability and scalability of smart water initiatives. Full article

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the first and currently the most expansive global infrastructure initiative, notably for its scale and emphasis on connectivity. In response, alternative initiatives such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP), including their components the Blue Dot Network (BDN) and Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI), as well as Global Gateway (GG) and the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), have emerged to counterbalance the BRI’s influence and promote more transparent, sustainable, and rules-based infrastructure frameworks. This review investigates how global and regional infrastructure initiatives—namely PGII/BDN, GG, FOIP/PQI, and 3SI—compare with the BRI in terms of development objectives, implementation models, institutional structures, and implications for developing economies. Adopting an inductive approach, this review identifies key themes from the literature to evaluate these initiatives across seven dimensions: (1) infrastructure objectives, (2) the quality and transparency of investments, (3) investment policy orientation, (4) trade policy orientation, (5) inclusivity and regional integration, (6) coordination mechanisms, and (7) environmental sustainability. While PGII/BDN, GG, FOIP/PQI, and 3SI appear well-positioned to address some of BRI’s shortcomings, the evidence does not clearly favour one model over another in terms of achieving welfare-enhancing outcomes and bridging development gaps. Nonetheless, strategic competition and complementarities among the connectivity policies of multiple initiatives can ultimately contribute to more accountable, multidimensionally sustainable, and socially inclusive infrastructure development. We also illustrate how stated preference methods, i.e., willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA), can be used to quantify the value of soft infrastructure, particularly public preferences for sustainable investment and norm diffusion, which are central to evaluating the social welfare gains from participating in these initiatives. Full article

This study evaluates the current state of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Mexico, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative analysis of charging station distribution with qualitative insights from government officials, expert reports, and industry sources. Mexico’s EV infrastructure has grown significantly, increasing from 100 charging stations in 2015 to over 3300 public points by 2023, along with nearly 28,000 residential installations. Despite this progress, rural areas remain underserved, and challenges such as high installation costs, lack of incentives, inconsistent policies, and technological integration issues hinder further growth. Comparisons with countries like Chile and Brazil show the importance of government incentives, public–private partnerships, and standardised charging technologies to address these barriers. While government programs and private investments have driven Mexico’s infrastructure development, continued growth requires expanding coverage in underserved regions, aligning regulatory frameworks, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. Learning from the experiences of other countries, Mexico has the potential to accelerate the growth of its EV infrastructure through enhanced incentives, improved policies, and standardised technologies, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable mobility. Full article

This study examines the impact of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in South and Southeast Asia from 2006 to 2022, using a comprehensive panel dataset and multiple econometric techniques. The baseline estimation employs Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), with robustness checks using Fixed Effects with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimator, and Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS). The results consistently show that FDI and Gross Capital Formation (GCF) significantly promote growth, while the Human Capital Index (HCI), Trade Openness (TO), and Inflation (I) have limited or adverse effects. Government spending (GS) is negatively associated with growth, suggesting inefficiencies in public resource allocation. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing absorptive capacity through investments in education, institutional quality, and trade facilitation. Policy recommendations include adopting performance-based budgeting and independent audits, drawing on Malaysia’s anti-corruption and audit reforms. To address the weak impact of human capital, this study advocates for expanding public–private partnerships in technical and vocational education, modelled on Singapore’s SkillsFuture initiative. Additionally, digital investment platforms like Indonesia’s Online Single Submission (OSS) system and infrastructure upgrades are recommended to reduce trade costs and improve the investment climate. Finally, the study calls for deeper regional integration through harmonized investment regulations under the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) and the development of cross-border special economic zones (SEZs). These recommendations are grounded in empirical evidence and tailored to the region’s structural characteristics, offering actionable insights for policy-makers. Full article

The Malabo Declaration commits African Union member states to eliminating hunger by 2025. Progress toward this target has been uneven and poorly understood. While some countries have recorded gains in non-hunger thematic areas such as finance, trade, resilience to climate variability, and governance and accountability mechanisms, the extent to which these improvements contribute to hunger reduction remains unclear. This study investigates whether performance in non-hunger areas, as measured through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Biennial Review C-scores, is statistically associated with outcomes under Commitment 3, which focuses on hunger reduction. We used random effects panel regression model covering 55 African countries from 2017 to 2023, the analysis identifies five significant predictors: agricultural GDP and poverty reduction (PC 4.1), foreign private investment (PC 2.3), multi stakeholder coordination (PC 1.2), inclusive public–private partnerships (PC 4.2), and trade policies (PC 5.2). Investment in resilience (PC 6.2) and capacity for planning and monitoring (PC 7.1) showed marginal associations. Our findings suggest that institutional presence alone does not drive hunger outcomes. We reflect that what matters is the structure, inclusiveness, and functionality of these mechanisms, including whether investments reach food-insecure populations, coordination platforms influence decisions, and policies adapt to local conditions. This study concludes that some high-performing categories fail to deliver tangible hunger reduction benefits when implementation is fragmented or disconnected from context. These findings challenge how progress is currently measured and interpreted at the regional level. Finally, we reiterate that as the region prepares for the post-2025 agenda, future strategies must directly link agricultural transformation to hunger reduction through targeted interventions and accountable institutions. Full article

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are essential for accelerating sustainable development as they combine public goals with private sector efficiency, leading to improved service delivery and less financial burden on governments. It is a project delivery model based on long-term contractual arrangements, where the private sector provides services, including engineering, construction, and operation of public infrastructure, taking financial risks. At the project development stage, the private sector carries out a financial risk assessment to ensure economic returns from a PPP investment and secure funding for the project. In this paper, we present a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN)-based model that can be used to assess financial risks, particularly the level of profitability in PPP projects. The proposed model was developed considering PPP projects in the healthcare sector and validated using data on PPP hospital projects in Turkiye. The findings demonstrate that the BBN model is useful for capturing the interdependencies between risks, resulting in different scenarios, and provides effective decision support for investors in PPP projects. This study contributes to the literature by offering a novel application of probabilistic risk assessment to provide a better understanding of interrelated risk factors that may result in different financial scenarios. The model can be used by the private sector to assess risk, estimate profitability, and develop risk mitigation strategies in PPP healthcare projects, which may increase project success, contributing to social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Full article

This study aimed to assess the impact of climatic alteration on food security in Saudi Arabia. Date productivity, temperature, and precipitation represent the data which were collected from various sources linked to the study subject and cover the period from 1980 to 2023. The Engle–Granger two-step procedure, the VECM, and forecast analysis were applied to test the long-term relationship, short-term integration, and forecasting, respectively. Moreover, qualitative analysis was used to reveal the influence of climatic change on food security. The results discovered long-term co-integration between date productivity and temperature. Additionally, the results revealed that there has been long-running co-integration between date productivity and the precipitation series. Temperature and precipitation negatively and significantly impacted date productivity during the study period. With reference to forecast results, the graph was validated using various forecast indicators: the Alpha, Gamma, Beta, and Mean Square Error equivalents were 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, and 5.47, respectively. Moreover, the growth rates of date productivity were equal to 0.82 and 0.08 for the periods from 1980 to 2022 and 2023 to 2034 (forecast), respectively, indicating that there is a decrease in the growth rate of date productivity (0.08) during the forecast period. From these results, the conclusion is that climatic change (temperature and precipitation) negatively impacts date productivity. In addition, the growth rate during the forecast period decreased, indicating that climatic change is affecting food security currently and will continue to do so in the future. This study recommended specific policy interventions and innovations in agricultural practices, including developing and implementing a national framework focused on climate-smart agriculture, balancing productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. This could be aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Additionally, this could include investing in research and development by increasing public–private partnerships to support agricultural R&D in arid regions, with a focus on heat- and drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient farming systems. Regarding agricultural innovations, these could include the use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, the expansion of rainwater harvesting infrastructure, recycling treated wastewater for agriculture, and reducing reliance on groundwater sources. Full article

Using a panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, this study examines the effects of the adoption of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on the digital economy of Saudi Arabia, using monthly data from 2015 to 2024 from the World Development Indicators and Bloomberg. The results show that API Adoption Rate (APIAR) has a positive long-term influence on the Digital Economy Index (DEI), highlighting APIs as a transformative tool that foster innovation, increase scalability within enterprises, and enhance digital transactions in line with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The findings also indicate that the Number of Active APIs (NAAPIs) exerts a significant and positive effect on DEI in both short- and long-term, which aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by fostering accelerated digital transformation and new innovation-driven job opportunities in addition to entrepreneurship via API-driven platforms. API Investment (APII) exhibits a beneficial short-term effect on DEI; nevertheless, it is not significant in the long run, indicating the need for strategic and continuous investment. This finding resonates with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting the significant role of public–private collaboration in enhancing digital infrastructure and enabling AI solutions. Building on these results, there is an urgent need to improve consistent API ecosystems, enhance collaborative partnerships, and align API strategies to national aspirations for driving Saudi Arabia’s digital economic growth and supporting Vision 2030 and the UN’s SDGs. Full article

Climate change-induced floods and droughts pose significant threats to rice farm development in Indonesia, particularly in regions reliant on pump-based irrigation systems. The urgency of this study lies in the increasing vulnerability of rice production to extreme weather events, necessitating institutional adaptations to enhance irrigation sustainability and financial risk sharing. This study examines the role of irrigation institutions in supporting sustainable rice farming in Wajo District, Indonesia. Using a case study approach, qualitative data were collected from four irrigation service provider (ISP) units across three subdistricts through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The analysis focuses on institutional mechanisms, including irrigation payment structures, input credit systems, and cost-sharing arrangements. The findings reveal that institutional frameworks are crucial in mitigating financial risks by promoting adaptive payment schemes and equitable cost-sharing mechanisms. Farmers’ access to critical agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, is enhanced through collaborative financing models, ensuring resilience against climate-induced production risks. However, variations in institutional support led to disparities in irrigation fees, credit access, and financial sustainability across study sites. This study underscores the need for risk-based irrigation pricing models and public–private partnerships to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as water storage facilities and sustainable irrigation systems. In conclusion, it is important to remember that each of us, including agricultural policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, plays a crucial role in implementing these solutions. By strengthening institutional governance, promoting flexible financial mechanisms, and integrating climate-adaptive pricing models, we can all contribute to enhancing the long-term sustainability of rice farming in Indonesia. Full article

Digital inclusion is a critical component of sustainable e-government, ensuring equitable access to digital public services for all citizens. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy, infrastructural gaps, and institutional barriers hinder widespread adoption, particularly among marginalized populations. This study examines the key obstacles to digital inclusion in e-government and explores technology-driven and policy-based solutions. A qualitative approach was employed, integrating case studies from developed and developing nations to assess best practices and localized policy adaptations. The findings highlight that public–private partnerships, digital literacy programs, and the integration of emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud computing—play a crucial role in enhancing accessibility and security. Additionally, aligning digital inclusion policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), strengthens the long-term impact of digital governance. This study emphasizes the need for governments to adopt an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to e-government implementation, ensuring long-term investments in accessibility, cybersecurity, and user trust. Future research should explore mixed-method approaches and comparative analyses across different socio-economic contexts to refine strategies for digital inclusion. Full article

Peanut is Kenya’s second most important legume after beans, primarily grown in the Nyanza and Western regions. This study maps the peanut value chain in Kenya, aiming to identify key actors, quantify costs and value addition, and outline constraints and opportunities, with a view to upgrading the chain. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among value chain actors in Karachuonyo and Nyakach sub-counties, complemented by secondary data sources. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio-economic characteristics, production volumes, pricing, demand trends, and policy-related factors. The findings indicate a predominance of female farmers (68%) in peanut production, though few use improved technologies; only 26% were aware of improved seed varieties, and just 1.5% reported using them. Fertilizer usage was absent, attributed to high costs, soil conditions, and limited knowledge. The wholesale and processing segments are male-dominated, largely due to capital intensity and travel requirements, while female traders dominate the retail sector. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunity and Threats (SWOT) analysis highlighted the significant potential of favorable production ecologies, processing options, and robust demand in local and international markets. Key constraints identified include limited seed availability, high fertilizer costs, pest issues, and declining soil fertility. Policy implications include increasing access to affordable inputs, promoting gender-inclusive programs, investing in agricultural research and infrastructure, supporting sustainable farming practices, and fostering public-private partnerships to expand processing and market access. Full article