This paper argues for a novel approach to financing infrastructure needs in Arab countries. It first describes the context of rising public debt in the region, contrasting it with the vast infrastructure needs. It then discusses the challenges in meeting these needs with traditional financing. The paper then makes the case for maximizing finance for development by using public-private partnerships and presents a few successful examples in Arab countries. Finally, the paper explores the way forward and concludes on the need for strong state capacity and integrity to promote the “maximizing finance for development” approach.

This study aims to explore the evolution of the human resources field in Western academia during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on the trends in research topics across different decades. The analysis utilizes citation co-citation analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, and social network analysis. The research data were drawn from the Web of Science (WoS) database, comprising 1278 documents. By distinguishing between different time periods, the study identifies shifts in the field across two distinct time frames, visualized through multidimensional scaling maps. The results indicate that the 1970s were dominated by seven major research streams, while the 1980s introduced eight research streams, with “human resources” emerging for the first time as a prominent research frontier. The volume of literature, co-citation frequency, and citation counts all increased over time, reflecting the growing vibrancy and expanding scope of research in the field. Although citation co-citation analysis provides objective quantitative insights, issues such as the purpose of citations, the extent to which cited documents influence citing documents, and the varying layers of citation impact may introduce potential errors in the co-citation analysis results.

In order to seek management alternatives for anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.), at the Tibaitatá Research Center of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation AGROSAVIA (formerly CORPOICA), an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the application of the major elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) on infections of the fungus C. gloeosporioides strain-52. For this purpose, a randomized complete block design was used with an arrangement of treatments in an orthogonal central composite design. To evaluate the relationship of fertilization levels and disease severity, an artificial inoculation was made on thorny blackberry stems using 0.5 cm mycelial discs at a concentration of 9.53 × 104 conidia. Observations consisted of: disease severity (S), incubation period (IP) and rate of development (r). Data analysis was done by the cluster method on the severity variable, a Pearson correlation analysis between variables, as well as a regression to estimate the effect of nutrients applied on the severity of C. gloeosporioides strain-52. The treatments were concentrated in four groups with the ranges (in parentheses) S (15.9% and 91.8%), PI (9 and 15.3) and Tr (0.0254 and 0.0468). A positive and significant correlation was observed between S and r (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between PI with S and r (P < 0.001). By means of regression analysis, a linear model was generated that showed a reduction in disease severity with increasing N dose and an increase with the levels of P and Ca applied.

Urban mobility in Grand Lomé is affected by several negative externalities, including road congestion, insecurity and environmental pollution. Traffic jams cause considerable economic losses, estimated at more than 13,000 CFA francs per month for some public officials, and represent a financial drain of several million CFA francs per day on the Togolese economy. These challenges are accentuated by rapid urbanization and a dizzying increase in the number of vehicles, especially motorcycle taxis. These factors not only cause economic losses, but also to the deterioration of the quality of life of the inhabitants. On average, motorists lose up to 49.5 min per day in traffic jams, with fuel and time costs estimated at hundreds of thousands of CFA francs per year for each user of the main boulevards. Through an in-depth analysis of the impacts of these negative externalities on mobility and sustainable development, this study reveals that traffic congestion, combined with the lack of road infrastructure, generates considerable economic and environmental costs. These traffic jams also worsen air pollution, making the transport sector responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. These proposed solutions include: 1) The modernization of road infrastructure, culminating in the construction of new lanes entirely dedicated to public and non-motorized transport. 2) The regulation of motorcycle taxis, inspired by regional examples, to improve safety and efficiency. 3) The introduction of rapid transit systems, such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to make travel more fluid. 4) The implementation of strict environmental standards and regular technical controls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These proposals aim to reduce social and economic costs, while promoting sustainable mobility and a better quality of life for residents.

Addressing society’s current ethical dilemmas necessitates urgent reinforcement of moral standards. Transforming student behavior necessitates integrating legal and social measures through proactive youth cultivation within educational institutions. This study focuses on a participatory, strategic approach to managing ethics in private vocational colleges in Thailand. The researchers gathered data through structured, in-depth interviews and opinion surveys from a sample group of 400 individuals, which included directors and department heads of these colleges. The research identified two main dimensions and eleven factors essential for moral education management in private vocational colleges. The first dimension encompasses six critical factors: resource management, structural policies, educational services, personnel, financial management, and materials and equipment management. The second dimension includes five key factors: school strategies, administrative policies, teacher roles, student engagement, and community stakeholder involvement. Statistical analysis supports the causal relationship model, revealing a Chi-Square value of 33.492 and a P-value of 0.055. This comprehensive approach aims to foster sustainable moral development and cultivate desirable societal behaviors among students. It contributes to national stability and aligns with educational and vocational development plans, effectively addressing broader socio-economic challenges. The findings underscore the importance of strategic, ethical management in private vocational education institutions as a cornerstone for nurturing a morally responsible student body and supporting national development goals.

Access to clean water and improved sanitation are basic elements of any meaningful discourse in rural development. They are critical challenges for achieving sustainable development over the next decade. This paper seeks to examine the strategies for improving access to clean water and sanitation in Nigerian rural communities. Hypothetically, the paper states that there is no significant relationship between access to clean water and sanitation and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Nigeria. The paper leverages Resilience Theory. The survey research design was adopted, and primary data was obtained from a sample size of 250 respondents, proportionally drawn from the 10 wards in Obanliku local government area of Cross River State. The chi-square statistical technique was to test the hypothesis. The result shows that the calculated value of Chi-square (X²) is 24.4. Since the P-value of 21.03 is less than the level of significance (0.05), the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternate accepted. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between access to clean water and sanitation and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Cross River State, Nigeria. it recommends the need for more commitment on the part of government and international donor agencies in expanding access to clean water and improved sanitation in Nigeria.