Using a qualitative research methodology and explanatory approach to collect data, we assessed whether the Beijing Consensus diplomacy in Africa is a promoter or threat to Africa’s pathway to sustainable development. The collected data were analysed using document and content analysis techniques. Analysis of the data revealed that the Beijing Consensus diplomacy in Africa is a positive initiative that has created a win-win situation, promoting sustainable development. The Beijing Consensus is opposed to the Washington Consensus, which influenced a win-lose situation that has deepened poverty, making Africa unable to move towards achieving sustainable development. The study found that China’s resource-for-development approach has similarities with pre-colonial Africa’s barter trade approach, which Africans practised in the entire continent. The analysis showed that applying the Beijing Consensus diplomacy to Africa has led to economic growth and development. The results showed that China’s Belt Road Initiative has transformed Africa, changing the continent from poverty to economic productivity, as road infrastructure is associated with economic growth and development. Moreover, it was evident from the analysis that without an African continental foreign policy rooted in continental sovereignty with transparent terms and conditions, Africa’s current benefits from China’s investments would lead to poverty instead of sustainable development. A continental foreign policy would create an African Consensus, which would act on behalf of the entire continent. This African Consensus diplomacy would thus become a continental foreign policy defining Africa globally. However, as it stands, the Beijing Consensus diplomacy is a promoter of sustainable development, but this promotion would not last long without African Consensus diplomacy. The study recommends that Africa should establish a continental foreign policy with African Consensus diplomacy to enable the continent to have one standard foreign policy and goal when trading with China and any other external world.

Mecula Haroano Laa is a local wisdom that includes beliefs, norms, and practices passed down from generation to generation in the context of agricultural resource preservation and community cultural identity formation. The author is interested in investigating the practices of the Mecula Haroano Laa tradition, which is unique to North Buton Regency and has unique specifications and characteristics. This research uses a qualitative approach. The data collection techniques used in this study are in-depth interviews and participatory observations. The results of this study demonstrate that Mecula Haroano Laa in North Buton society is more than just an agricultural custom; it is also an attempt to strengthen social solidarity among community members. This practice reflects the spirit of solidarity, gotong royong together, and respect for the environment. The North Buton community is actively involved in implementing Mecula Haroano Laa as a form of participation in developing sustainable agriculture. This research contributes to understanding the importance of local wisdom in building social cohesion in communities. Research implications include sustainable planning and efforts to empower communities in developing farms in North Buton Regency. Natural resource management policies may incorporate. Mecula Haroano Laa’s effective and sustainable resource management techniques to promote wise use, environmental conservation, economic resilience, and dependency reduction.

This study assesses Vietnam’s state-level implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and analyses the government’s efforts to encourage AI implementation by focusing on the National Strategy on AI Development Program. This study emphasizes the possibility of implementing AI at the state level in Vietnam and the importance of conducting continuous reviews and enhancements to achieve sustainable and inclusive AI growth. Impact evaluations were conducted in public organizations alone, and implication evaluations were considered optional. AI impact assessments were constrained by societal norms that necessitated establishing relationships among findings. There is a lack of official information regarding the positive impact of Vietnam’s AI policy on the development of AI infrastructure, research, and talent pools. The study’s findings highlight the necessity of facilitating extensive AI legislation, and strengthening international cooperation. The study concludes with the following recommendations for improving Vietnam’s AI policy: implementing a strong AI governance structure and supporting AI education and awareness.

This paper highlights the opportunities as well as challenges posed for Bangladesh by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. BRI is being considered as the most expensive project ever initiated connecting more than half of the world population from Asia, Europe and Africa. For writing this paper, the authors utilized published sources such as journal articles, newspaper articles and web-based information published from 2013 to 2024. The article proposes that although the involvement of Bangladesh in the BRI is not absolutely free of challenges, it can serve the ultimate national interest through greater connectivity with other countries, increased volume of trade and economic activities and socio-cultural exchange. Although, as the originator and major contributor of the BRI, China will be the principal benefiter, other partner countries can also attain considerable benefits out of this historical mega scheme through the application of appropriate vision and strategic implementation. This paper has highlighted those benefits/opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh that can be beneficial for upcoming research projects particularity aimed at development studies, political economy and international relations. On the other hand, based on the arguments made on this paper, policymakers and businessmen can formulate their best policies as well as trading strategies with mutual benefits for all the stakeholders involved.

Preserving roads involves regularly evaluating government policy through advanced assessments using vehicles with specialized capabilities and high-resolution scanning technology. However, the cost is often not affordable due to a limited budget. Road surface surveys are highly expected to use low-cost tools and methods capable of being carried out comprehensively. This research aims to create a road damage detection application system by identifying and qualifying precisely the type of damage that occurs using a single CNN to detect objects in real time. Especially for the type of pothole, further analysis is to measure the volume or dimensions of the hole with a LiDAR smartphone. The study area is 38 province’s representative area in Indonesia. This research resulted in the iRodd (intelligent-road damage detection) for detection and classification per type of road damage in real-time object detection. Especially for the type of pothole damage, further analysis is carried out to obtain a damage volume calculation model and 3D visualization. The resulting iRodd model contributes in terms of completion (analyzing the parameters needed to be related to the road damage detection process), accuracy (precision), reliability (the level of reliability has high precision and is still within the limits of cost-effective), correct prediction (four-fifths of all positive objects that should be identified), efficient (object detection models strike a good balance between being able to recognize objects with high precision and being able to capture most objects that would otherwise be detected-high sensitivity), meanwhile, in the calculation of pothole volume, where the precision level is established according to the volume error value, comparing the derived data to the reference data with an average error of 5.35% with an RMSE value of 6.47 mm. The advanced iRodd model with LiDAR smartphone devices can present visualization and precision in efficiently calculating the volume of asphalt damage (potholes).

Lake Batur is one of the national priorities, as it has economic value, and fish resources are used for food security and improving the local people’s welfare. The study examined the applicability of fisheries management status based on the ecosystem approach in lakes. The study was carried out from February to July 2023 using ecosystem approach methods in seven villages around Batur Lake, Bali, Indonesia, Data was collected through observations and interviews with 189 respondents. The success of fisheries management might be shown as a flag model after the composite domain and the total aggregate value of all dominants were rated. The results showed that the managed fish resources and stakeholders were unsatisfactory categories. Generally, social and fishing technology domains were classified as good categories. For that, ecosystem approach applications for sustainable fisheries in Batur Lake needed action under the five common scenario goals (a) reducing non-target fish (red devil) in the lakes by intensive capture and processing into other products of economic value; (b) regulations related to the reserve area as a place for fish to spawn and breed; (c) increasing the synergy of fisheries management policies; (d) increasing the stakeholder capacity; and (e) government support and related stakeholders regarding one regulation for fisheries management.