Since 2019, Togo has resolutely engaged in the decentralization process marked by communalization and elections of municipal councilors. Financial autonomy constitutes an essential lever for the free administration of municipalities, allowing them to ensure decision-making and the implementation of development projects. However, despite a legal and regulatory framework defining taxation specific to local authorities, Togolese municipalities are often perceived as needing more financial resources. This study aims to map the financing mechanisms for decentralization in Togo and analyze their contribution to municipal budgets. By adopting a quantitative approach combining documentary analysis and interviews with 188 experts and practitioners of local finance from various Togolese structures, four main financing mechanisms were identified: local, national, Community, and international. Among these mechanisms, own resources (in particular from the sale of products and services, fiscal and non-fiscal taxes) and state transfers via the Support Fund for Local Authorities emerge as the primary sources of financing for municipalities. However, the study reveals that several instruments of local mechanisms, although institutionally defined, still need to be updated in many municipalities, thus limiting their effectiveness in resource mobilization. These results highlight the importance of optimizing the management of local mechanisms to strengthen municipalities’ financial autonomy and support territories’ sustainable development.

This study aims to examine the role of automotive industry development in the regional growth of Hungarian counties. Through word frequency analysis, the counties were grouped, and their unique characteristics were highlighted. Some counties already play a prominent role in the domestic automotive industry hosting established Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), a significant number of automotive suppliers and high R&D and innovation potential. Another group includes counties that currently lack a significant automotive industry and did not identify it as a key focus area for future development. Additionally, an intermediate group has also emerged, including counties where the automotive industry is either in its early stages of investment, or such development is prioritized in regional planning documents. The study details the direction of automotive development in counties where the industry plays a significant role, focusing on labor market characteristics and human resource development. The findings have significant implications for the future of the automotive industry in these counties, underlining the urgent and immediate need for well-managed and well-established human resource development and ensuring effective partnership to realize its full potential in the automotive industry.

The business environment in the modern era is witnessing numerous Intellectual Changes, Technological developments, and increasingly Complex Situations, which has led to a need for effective Leadership in the Business Sectors. This leadership plays a role in transforming companies into giant corporations that serve as a true foundation for enhancing and improving Job Competencies (JC)., The study aimed to analyze the impact of the Soft Skills approach in Human Resources (analytical and critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving, planning and organization, teamwork) on developing Job Competencies (productivity, technical, managerial) in Petroleum Sector Companies in Egypt. The researchers employed the descriptive-analytical method to study the phenomenon, conducting the study on stratified random samples consisting of 379 managers and a sample of 382 employees from Petroleum Sector Companies. The study utilized the SPSS and AMOS Software Programs. The study found statistically significant differences at the (0.01) level between the average scores of managers and employees regarding soft skills in human resources and job competencies, with managers scoring higher. Additionally, the study revealed a statistically significant direct causal effect at the (0.01) level of Human Resources Soft Skills on Job Competencies in Petroleum Sector Companies., Finally, a proposal was developed for enhancing Job Competencies in Petroleum Companies in Egypt based on the application of human resources Soft Skills, alongside future research directions and practical implications.

The well-being of society can be realized through meeting basic needs, one of which is providing public infrastructure. This study examines the role of Natural Resource Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH SDA) on government investment in infrastructure in 491 regencies/cities in Indonesia. The testing in this research uses panel data regression analysis. The results show that per capita DBH SDA in Indonesia during the study period of 2010–2012 has a significant and positive influence on government investment in infrastructure. The selection of this period is based on the consideration that a resources boom has occurred, where there is an increased global demand for natural resource commodities followed by an increase in commodity prices, thereby positively impacting revenue for countries or regions abundant in natural resources. Despite DBH SDA having a significant and positive influence, regional spending on infrastructure tends to be more influenced by central government transfers such as General Allocation Fund (DAU), Special Allocation Fund (DAK), and Local Own-source Revenue (PAD). It was found that government investment in infrastructure tends to be influenced by transfer funds, indicating that the role of the central government remains significant in determining the infrastructure expenditure of regencies/cities in Indonesia.

This article examines the legal challenges associated with the utilization of marine genetic resources (MGR) at both the national level and beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The legal challenges addressed are as follows: 1) MGR are located across various jurisdictions, encompassing both national and international domains. The analysis starts with an overview of the international regulations that govern the utilization of genetic resources (GR) and their influence on national legislation. It emphasizes the principle of state sovereignty over natural resources while defining MGR and determining ownership; 2) It further highlights the intersection of national and international laws, particularly in transboundary contexts and within Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples (IADP) territories, analyzing how these regulations are interpreted and applied in such scenarios; 3) The legal challenges related to the use of MGR in international waters are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the recent United Nations (UN) Agreement concerning this issue. This includes an analysis of its impact and specific provisions related to the utilization of MGR, such as the quantity to be collected, the methodology employed, collection sites, among others. The article concludes by asserting that the equitable distribution of benefits from the use of GR should begin at the earliest stages of access to these resources, including project planning and sample collection, rather than being delayed until the patenting and commercialization phases. Early benefit-sharing is essential for promoting fairness and equity in the use of MGR.

Assessment of water resources carrying capacity (WRCC) is of great significance for understanding the status of regional water resources, promoting the coordinated development of water resources with environmental, social and economic development, and promoting sustainable development. This study focuses on the Longdong Loess Plateau region and utilized panel data spanning from 2010 to 2020, established a three-dimensional evaluation index system encompassing water resources, economic, and ecological dimensions, uses the entropy-weighted TOPSIS model coupled with global spatial autocorrelation analysis (Global Moran’s I) and the hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi* index) method to comprehensively evaluate the spatial distribution of the WRCC in the study region. It can provide scientific basis and theoretical support for decision-making on sustainable development strategies in the Longdong Loess Plateau region and other regions of the world.From 2010 to 2020, the overall WRCC of the Longdong Loess Plateau area show some fluctuations but maintained overall growth. The WRCC in each county and district predominantly fell within level III (normal) and level IV (good). The spatial distribution of the WRCC in each county and district is featured by clustering pattern, with neighboring counties displaying similar values, resulting in a spatial distribution pattern characterized by high carrying capacity in the south and low carrying capacity in the north. Based on these findings, our study puts forth several recommendations for enhancing the WRCC in the Longdong Loess Plateau area.