Search Results (61)

This study presents a comparative benchmarking analysis of G20 nations’ agri-food competitiveness across five critical pillars: food security and nutrition, trade and geopolitics, environmental sustainability, fiscal regimes, and entrepreneurship support. Using a structured benchmarking framework with 13 performance indicators sourced from internationally recognized datasets, the research delivers a comprehensive evaluation of national agri-food systems. The analysis reveals significant disparities in transparency, policy coherence, and investment in innovation across member states. Countries such as the United States, Germany, and Australia emerge as leaders, driven by integrated policy frameworks, trade surpluses, and sustainable production practices. Others fall behind due to import dependence, fragmented governance, or weak innovation ecosystems. Canada performs consistently in trade metrics but is hindered by high emissions intensity, infrastructure constraints, and a lack of a cohesive national food strategy. Theoretically, this work contributes to the emerging field of agri-food system diagnostics by operationalizing a cross-pillar benchmarking methodology applicable at the national level. Practically, it offers policymakers a decision-support tool for identifying structural gaps and setting reform priorities. The framework enables governments, trade partners, and multilateral institutions to design targeted interventions aimed at boosting food system resilience, economic competitiveness, and sustainability in an era of rising geopolitical and environmental volatility. Full article

Green finance—including bilateral and multilateral development aid and concessional loans—has emerged as a critical tool in supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, particularly in emerging economies. Türkiye, since the early 2000s, has increasingly relied on climate-related official development flows in alignment with its sustainability and emissions reduction targets. This study examines the impact of green finance and financial globalization on environmental sustainability in Türkiye over the period 2001–2021. It specifically tests the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis, which posits a non-linear (U-shaped) relationship between financial drivers and ecological outcomes. The study employs the load capacity factor (LCF) as an environmental pressure indicator and uses ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR estimation methods to ensure robustness. The results indicate that green finance has a long-term positive effect on Türkiye’s environmental sustainability, whereas financial globalization shows mixed effects. The findings confirm the presence of a U-shaped relationship between green finance and environmental pressure, supporting the LCC hypothesis. These results contribute to the limited empirical literature on green finance in emerging economies and suggest that policy frameworks should emphasize the sequencing and institutional alignment of green financial flows. Policymakers in Türkiye and similar economies may benefit from integrating green finance strategies with targeted regulatory reforms to maximize ecological benefits. Full article

Node localization is a critical challenge in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The DV-Hop algorithm, which relies on hop counts for localization, assumes that network nodes are uniformly distributed. It estimates actual distances between nodes based on the number of hops. However, in practical IoT networks, node distribution is often non-uniform, leading to complex and irregular topologies that significantly reduce the localization accuracy of the original DV-Hop algorithm. To improve localization performance in non-uniform topologies, we propose an enhanced DV-Hop algorithm using Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). First, the impact of non-uniform node distribution on hop count and average hop distance is analyzed. A binary Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm (BGWO) is then applied to develop an optimal anchor node selection strategy. This strategy eliminates anchor nodes with high estimation errors and selects a subset of high-quality anchors to improve the localization of unknown nodes. Second, in the multilateration stage, the traditional least square method is replaced by a continuous GWO algorithm to solve the distance equations with higher precision. Simulated experimental results show that the proposed GWO-enhanced DV-Hop algorithm significantly improves localization accuracy in non-uniform topologies. Full article

The capability approach, shaped by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, offers an innovative normative framework for social work with disadvantaged children and adolescents. Unlike purely resource- or income-oriented approaches, it asks what real opportunities young people have to lead the lives that they value. At its core is the question of how these young individuals can develop their talents, build relationships, and participate in community and culture. The potential of the capability approach becomes particularly evident in social problem contexts often characterized by poverty, educational disadvantages, or discrimination. It emphasizes the importance of freedoms, self-determination, and agency, viewing children not merely as in need of assistance but as active agents in shaping their own lives. For social work practice, this opens up new possibilities for designing interventions in a participatory manner, ensuring that children’s needs and values are taken into account. Instead of standardized solutions, individualized and context-sensitive strategies are promoted. This approach also calls for a multilateral perspective: beyond individual casework, societal and institutional structures must be addressed. Only by removing barriers in areas such as education, health, and housing can real opportunities be created. At the same time, the concept aligns well with children’s rights work, trauma-sensitive approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Although operationalizing the approach is complex, a capability-oriented perspective allows for a comprehensive assessment of children’s living conditions. In this way, social work can increasingly focus on strengthening agency and recognizing young people as subjects of their own becoming. Full article

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key middle power, leveraging niche diplomacy to expand its global influence. This study examines how the Kingdom strategically employs mediation, religious diplomacy, humanitarian aid, energy leadership, and sports diplomacy to shape regional and international dynamics. Unlike great powers, middle powers focus on specialized areas where they hold a comparative advantage, allowing them to exert influence despite material constraints. Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic recalibration aligns with its Vision 2030 agenda, prioritizing economic diversification, regional stability, and multilateral engagement. Saudi Arabia enhances its geopolitical significance by positioning itself as a mediator in regional conflicts, reinforcing its religious leadership, investing in sports diplomacy, and maintaining energy dominance. This study contributes to understanding middle power strategies in international relations, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role as a stabilizing force in an evolving global order. Full article

This study investigates the effects of bilateral and multilateral official development assistance on Vietnam’s economic growth from 1986 to 2022. Utilizing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, our results show that in the shortrun, bilateral official development assistance has a significant positive influence on economic growth, whereas multilateral official development assistance has a significant negative influence on economic growth. However, the empirical findings reveal that both bilateral and multilateral official development assistance have no influence on economic growth in the longterm. Given that bilateral official development assistance has a significantly positive impact on economic growth in the shortrun, Vietnam should strengthen partnerships with donor countries. Tailoring projects to align with bilateral donors’ interests can lead to more effective interventions. In addition, multilateral official development assistance has been found to have a negative impact on economic growth in the shortrun, possibly due to complex approval and implementation processes. Therefore, the government should advocate for more flexible project requirements and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Simplifying the approval process can help accelerate project implementation and enhance immediate economic benefits. Moreover, because official development assistance does not impact on economic growth in the longterm, Vietnam should focus on sustainable development strategies that reduce dependency on external aid. This includes investing in human capital, innovation, and technology to foster endogenous growth. Full article

This study explores creative tourism strategies in community-based tourism for sustainable development, focusing on the millennium-old Ban Chiang UNESCO World Heritage site in Thailand. It aims to uncover how creative tourism strategies support community-based tourism by optimizing development through cultural preservation, heritage revitalization, and sustainable outcomes. The research investigates how creative tourism approaches foster community-based tourism and how a community achieves sustainable socio-economic growth using the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). Using a qualitative case study approach, this research employs in-depth interviews, participant and non-participant observation, and document analysis to explore the interactions between creative tourism, community-based tourism, and sustainability. The findings reveal that creative tourism strategies can promote environmental conservation, cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and social well-being in Ban Chiang. This study highlights the successful development of strategies and collaborative actions by Ban Chiang’s community enterprise network for creative tourism progression, emphasizing multilateral stakeholder collaboration in enhancing community capital. The research proposes a model for creative tourism strategy and community capital development aimed at sustainability. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities aiming to leverage creative tourism for sustainable development. By emphasizing the synergies between creative tourism and community-based tourism, it offers practical guidance for enhancing destination management, fostering community engagement, and promoting cultural and environmental conservation. This study bridges a critical gap in the literature by demonstrating how the CCF can be implemented to create positive impacts on creative tourism in heritage destinations such as Ban Chiang, presenting novel insights into its potential as a driver for positive transformation. Full article

Tourism is a critical driver of economic growth, particularly in BRICS+ nations, where it contributes significantly to GDP and fosters multilateral cooperation. However, challenges such as limited direct air connectivity, regulatory barriers, and financial constraints hinder seamless travel experiences and impact tourism and trade. This study investigates the potential of direct air transport links among BRICS+ nations to alleviate these challenges, focusing on economic benefits, policy recommendations, and sustainability implications. Using a mixed-methods approach, including policy analysis and economic impact modeling, the findings reveal that enhanced air connectivity could reduce logistical inefficiencies, promote cultural exchange, and drive sustainable economic growth. This study concludes with strategies for implementing direct air routes and collaborative frameworks to advance the sustainable development goals of BRICS+ countries. Full article

In recent years, rate of penetration (ROP) prediction using machine learning has attracted considerable interest. However, few studies have addressed ROP prediction uncertainty and its relation to training data and model inputs. This paper presents the application of a quantile regression deep neural network (QRDNN) for ROP prediction on multi-lateral wells drilled in the Alvheim field of the North Sea. The quantile regression framework allows the characterization of the prediction uncertainty, which can inform the end-user on whether the model predictions are reliable. Three different training strategies for the QRDNN model are investigated. The first strategy uses individual hole sections of the multi-lateral well to train the model, which is then tested on sections of similar hole size. In the second strategy, the models are trained for specific formations encountered in the well, assuming the formation tops are known for both the training and test sections. The third strategy uses training data from offset wells from the same field as the multi-lateral well, exploring different offset–well combinations and input features. The resulting QRDNN models are tested on several complete well sections excluded from the training data, each several kilometers long. The second and third strategies give the lowest mean absolute percentage errors of their median predictions of 27.3% and 28.7% respectively—all without recalibration for the unknown test well sections. Furthermore, the third model based on offset training gives a robust prediction of uncertainty with over 99.6% of actual values within the predicted P10 and P90 percentiles. Full article

The rapid growth of cities significantly impacts the development of transport and logistics infrastructure (TLI), creating substantial challenges for the transport network and quality of life. To enhance the efficiency and sustainability of TLI, various approaches, planning methods, and management strategies are employed at the city or agglomeration level. The objective of this study was to investigate, using graph theory and correlation analysis, the relationship between the polarity and logistic flow of the city’s meso-districts. Based on these findings, recommendations for the development of the city’s transport and logistics infrastructure were proposed. The logistic flow, influenced by social, economic, institutional, and environmental factors, plays a critical role in the planning and operation of transport and logistics infrastructure within each meso-district of the city. The determination of the polarity of meso-districts was conducted based on expert assessments by specialists, while the indicators of logistic flow were derived from the average values of statistical data for the period 2021–2023. The results demonstrated that a reduction in the polarity of meso-districts—characterized by multilateral connections between meso-districts and key indicators of logistic flows—can positively influence the quality and accessibility of the city’s transport and logistic infrastructure. This approach enables the identification of the most problematic meso-districts within the city, the mapping of logistic flow directions, and the determination of strategic development pathways for the city’s transport and logistics infrastructure (TLI). Furthermore, it was established that the polarity of the meso-district graph reflects the state of traffic congestion within the districts and its environmental impact. This correlation provides valuable insights into refining the planning and development of the city’s TLI, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient urban transport system. This study contributed to the development of the city’s transport and logistics infrastructure by proposing a comprehensive model that enhances the understanding and strengthens the interconnections between meso-districts and urban logistics. The findings hold significant implications for urban planning, as they highlight the necessity of a detailed consideration of the role of meso-districts, as well as targeted investments in transport and logistics infrastructure to ensure its sustainable development in the future. Full article

Based on the information of China’s bilateral energy diplomacy with 43 countries from 2000 to 2023, this study analyzes the impact of different diplomatic forms on China’s crude oil trade. A fixed-effects model is reconstructed to analyze the impact of various aspects of energy diplomacy on China’s crude oil trade based on panel data. These aspects include diplomacy frequency, frequency of visits, first or regular visits by heads of state, changes in diplomatic relationship levels, whether oil or energy is involved in joint public statements, and the nature of diplomacy (bilateral or multilateral). This study provides a reference for strategic decision-making in China’s energy diplomacy and indicates that frequent meetings of heads of state and proactive “going out” strategies in energy diplomacy significantly promote crude oil trade cooperation between two countries and ensure national energy security. Bilateral energy diplomacy is more effective in fostering crude oil trade cooperation with resource countries compared to multilateral diplomacy, with particularly notable effects in neighboring countries and those that belong to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese government could increase the frequency of energy diplomacy, appropriately increase the frequency of overseas visits, and be more proactive in “going out” for energy diplomacy. There should be a greater focus on bilateral energy diplomacy with key resource countries, including neighboring countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as BRI countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Indonesia. It is also crucial to enhance the discourse power and influence of China in the global energy governance system. If the outcome documents of diplomatic activities involve crude oil or energy cooperation, they may invite competition from other resource countries or intervention from external forces. It is recommended that the principle of “do more, say less” is upheld. Any sensitive or controversial topics that would cause external interferences should be avoided, and not be included or actively mentioned. Based on practical cooperation with potential partner countries, the entire industry chain of energy investment, trade, technical services, and engineering equipment will be strengthened. Full article

Scaling up the direct use of geothermal heat in urban areas comes with the challenge of enabling the development of projects in geological settings where geothermal reservoir flow properties may be poor, resulting in low well flow performance. Cost-effective field development strategies and well designs tailored to such reservoirs can ensure the deliverability of geothermal energy in economic terms. This study presents a framework based on computer-assisted optimization to support practitioners in selecting the most suitable well concept for the exploitation of such marginal geothermal reservoirs. The proposed methodology is illustrated in a real-life case study of a geothermal development prospect in an urban area in The Netherlands, where the performance of sub-vertical, sub-horizontal and multi-lateral wells is compared. The obtained results indicate that the techno-economic performance of the geothermal doublet can be significantly improved by optimization, for all considered well concepts, and that, despite the importance of selecting the well concept, well location is still the main determinant of an effective field development strategy. The sub-horizontal and multi-lateral well concepts appear to be the most suitable for the target case study, outperforming the sub-vertical doublets, with a higher expected net present value and a lower economic variability risk for the multi-lateral solution. Full article

Natural gas hydrates (NGHs) in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea are deposited in low-permeability clayey silt sediments. As a renewable energy source with such a low carbon emission, the exploitation and recovery rate of NGH make it difficult to meet industrial requirements using existing development strategies. Research into an economically rewarding method of gas hydrate development is important for sustainable energy development. Hydraulic fracturing is an effective stimulation technique to improve the fluid conductivity. In this paper, an efficient three-dimensional embedded discrete fracture model is developed to investigate the production simulation of hydraulically fractured gas hydrate reservoirs considering the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The proposed model is applied to a hydraulically fractured production evaluation of vertical wells, horizontal wells, and complex structural wells. To verify the feasibility of the method, three test cases are established for different well types as well as different fractures. The effects of fracture position, fracture conductivity, fracture half-length, and stimulated reservoir volume size on gas production are presented. The results show that the production enhancement in multi-stage fractured horizontal wells is obvious compared to that of vertical wells, while spiral multilateral wells are less sensitive to fractures due to the distribution of wellbore branches and perforation points. Appropriate stimulated reservoir volume size can obtain high gas production and production efficiency. Full article

Mosques, revered as sacred spaces, are distinguished by their sustainable architectural designs. A critical aspect of these designs is the implementation of daylighting strategies, essential for ensuring adequate light levels, particularly for reading the Holy Quran. Traditional daylighting typologies in mosques, such as multi-lateral lighting, clerestories, skylights, and shading devices, are widely recognized. However, the potential application of electrochromic (EC) switchable glazing within mosque architecture remains underexplored. This study delves into the effectiveness of various daylighting typologies, assessing their performance before and after the integration of EC switchable glazing in the Al-Shagroud Mosque located in Saudi Arabia. Employing comprehensive radiance simulations in accordance with the LEEDv4.1 standards, the study evaluates additional metrics including useful daylight illuminance (UDI_{300–3000lux}), workplane illuminance (WPI), uniformity index (Ui), and daylight glare probability (DGP) under multiple scenarios. The results demonstrate that clerestory lighting effectively meets LEEDv4.1 benchmarks but exhibits limitations in achieving uniform light distribution, particularly in the men’s prayer hall. In contrast, the women’s prayer hall benefits from a combination of clerestory lighting and shading devices, which improves light quality and mitigates glare issues. However, the use of skylights without adequate shading leads to excessive WPI and high DGP levels, compromising visual comfort. Moreover, managing daylight quantity and quality through the integration of different typologies, including hybrid models, presents substantial challenges. The integration of EC switchable glazing, while maintaining optimal WPI and reducing DGP, offers enhanced visual comfort in prayer areas. Nevertheless, this technology faces difficulties in ensuring even light distribution, as evidenced by lower uniformity index values. This research highlights the critical need for optimizing daylighting in mosques to balance sustainability and comfort, without detracting from their sacred ambiance. Full article

Many countries around the world have leveraged the potential of partnerships to counter collective challenges and foster development. ECOWAS has looked to partnerships to tackle shared challenges to infrastructural development in its member countries. This study sought to understand ‘how partnerships could foster sustainable development in ECOWAS member nations.’ Using a qualitative method, both primary and secondary data were sourced to mainstream the ECOWAS multilateral Public–Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to foster sustainable development in implementing its 2045 Infrastructure Master Plan. This study finds that such development plans that were hitherto a challenge to implement by ECOWAS member states have received a boost through the World Bank Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF). This partnership provided effective diagnostics to improve efficiency, build capacity, identify PPP possibilities, and revamp policy and legal frameworks for PPPs, resulting in better access to more financing, proper implementation, monitoring, and sustainability of infrastructural projects. The ECOWAS PPP framework has been able to allow its member states to leverage the advantages that the private sector has to foster sustainable development. This has poised ECOWAS to be on track to implementing its infrastructure master plan. Full article