Development studies Books

Book SynopsisThis book argues that close and disciplined scrutiny of the Asian megacity regions is of critical importance to understanding Asian urbanization. However, any approach to studying these regions must adopt a multi-dimensional and trans-urban perspective; otherwise, we Without such an approach, we cannot truly make meaningful decisions about growth management and sustainable development for such regions. Amidst the sweeping demographic and structural shifts produced by global urbanization, Asian urbanization has a fascinating and prominent role. Asian urbanization is heterogeneous, and more accurately constitutes “phenomena” than a “phenomenon.” However, despite this diversity, there are certain common features that we can identify. One of them is the Asian “megacity region”— the administrative and/or delineated territory of mixed urban-rural landscape surrounding a giant metropolis.The purpose of this book is to: Understand the main features of 21st century urbanization Note the limitations of current approaches (e.g. disparate scales, city-centric views, inadequate data sets) Articulate a pragmatically framed three-pronged approach (scale-based, trans-urban, multi-dimensional) Demonstrate the application of such an approach with a case study of one of the most important megacity regions in South Asia, the Delhi National Capital Region, underscoring the methodological requirements of such an approach Discuss the next steps for the field as a whole: questions to be raised and directions to be explored for further study. This timely, conceptual and empirical book will appeal to students of urbanization, architects involved in urban policy and planning, and researchers alike.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Shifting urban dynamics: An overview.- From megacity to megacity region: Is an Asian paradigm emerging?- Asian MCR: Urban-Rural interface and multidimensionality of the spread region.- Scale and where the three prongs meet.- The national capital region, Delhi, India: An empirical exploration.- Concluding thoughts.

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Book SynopsisThis book argues that close and disciplined scrutiny of the Asian megacity regions is of critical importance to understanding Asian urbanization. However, any approach to studying these regions must adopt a multi-dimensional and trans-urban perspective; otherwise, we Without such an approach, we cannot truly make meaningful decisions about growth management and sustainable development for such regions. Amidst the sweeping demographic and structural shifts produced by global urbanization, Asian urbanization has a fascinating and prominent role. Asian urbanization is heterogeneous, and more accurately constitutes “phenomena” than a “phenomenon.” However, despite this diversity, there are certain common features that we can identify. One of them is the Asian “megacity region”— the administrative and/or delineated territory of mixed urban-rural landscape surrounding a giant metropolis.The purpose of this book is to: Understand the main features of 21st century urbanization Note the limitations of current approaches (e.g. disparate scales, city-centric views, inadequate data sets) Articulate a pragmatically framed three-pronged approach (scale-based, trans-urban, multi-dimensional) Demonstrate the application of such an approach with a case study of one of the most important megacity regions in South Asia, the Delhi National Capital Region, underscoring the methodological requirements of such an approach Discuss the next steps for the field as a whole: questions to be raised and directions to be explored for further study. This timely, conceptual and empirical book will appeal to students of urbanization, architects involved in urban policy and planning, and researchers alike.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Shifting urban dynamics: An overview.- From megacity to megacity region: Is an Asian paradigm emerging?- Asian MCR: Urban-Rural interface and multidimensionality of the spread region.- Scale and where the three prongs meet.- The national capital region, Delhi, India: An empirical exploration.- Concluding thoughts.

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Book SynopsisThis open access textbook offers a critical introduction to human and economic development prospects in Africa revolving around three questions: where is Africa today, what explains the current state, and, given historical trends and what we know about the world, where do we think the continent will be in 2040? And, a final question: what can we do to create a better tomorrow? It models ambitious progress in health, demographics, agriculture, education, industrialization, technological leapfrogging, increased trade, greater stability, better governance and external support. The book reviews the future of work/jobs, poverty and the impact of climate change. A combined Closing the Gap scenario presents a forecast of what could be possible by 2040. Each chapter suggests which policies might accelerate prospects for each sector. Written in an accessible style, and supported by a range of pedagogical features, this textbook introduces undergraduate and graduate students to the contemporary human and economic development prospects in Africa.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Growing GapChapter 2: Africa’s Current PathChapter 3: HealthChapter 4: Getting to Africa's Demographic DividendChapter 5: Wanted – A Revolution in AgricultureChapter 6: Boosting EducationChapter 7: Poverty, Inequality and GrowthChapter 8: Changing Productive StructuresChapter 9: The Future of Work in AfricaChapter 10: Technological Innovation and the Power of LeapfroggingChapter 11: Trade and GrowthChapter 12: Prospects for Greater PeaceChapter 13: Good Governance, Democracy and DevelopmentChapter 14: Aid, Remittances and Foreign Direct Investment Chapter 15: Climate ChangeChapter 16: Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis book examines Turkey’s success within international development cooperation and how this could create a framework for a new international aid architecture. Turkey has become a world leader in humanitarian assistance and shared an extraordinary burden in official development assistance (ODA). Its achievements are used to highlight the global failure to meet aid commitments and the increasingly permanent humanitarian problems seen in certain regions. A particular focus is given to Turkey’s diplomatic and humanitarian actions, its contribution to regional stability and development, and creating a holistic aid perspective. The book aims to provide the reader with an understanding of Turkey’s significant value-added contribution to the international aid architecture, gives an outline for international cooperation, and contributes to ongoing discussions within development economics, political science, and international relations.Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisThis open access book introduces design for Sustainable Product-Service Systems (S.PSS) and for Sustainable Distributed Economies (S.DE). These are introduced as technical and operative tools for the development of a new generation of designers, responsible and capable of designing environmentally, socially and economically sustainable solutions, accessible to all. The book provides a comprehensive framework and also practical tools to support the system design for sustainability process. It overviews methodologies, tools and strategies for Sustainable PSS design applied to Distributed Economies (DE) and provides strategies and design guidelines. All of these are highlighted and expanded upon with international case studies.Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisThis book discusses the prospects for the development of the African continent as part of the emerging system of international relations in the twenty-first century. African countries are playing an increasingly important part in the current system of international relations. Nevertheless, even 60 years after gaining their independence, most of them are confronted with regional and global issues that are directly related to their colonial past and its influence. Due to Africa’s wealth of natural and geopolitical resources, the possibility of interference in the internal affairs of African countries on the part of new and traditional global actors remains very real. Leading Africanists, together with international scholars from both international relations and African studies, examine the experience of decolonization, the impact of the emergence of a unipolar world on the African continent, and the growing influence of new international actors on the African continent in the twenty-first century. In addition, the importance of African countries’ foreign policy concepts and ideological attitudes in the post-bipolar period is revealed. “This volume strengthens the intellectual bridge between Russian, African and Western scholars of international relations. Strongly recommended!” Vladimir G. Shubin, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences “This book presents a wide range of prominent global scholars who bring a wealth of knowledge on the subject of Africa and the world.” Gilbert Khadiagala, Jan Smuts Professor of International Relations and Director of the African Centre for the Study of the USA (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. “As a genuine contribution to the field of international relations and Global South Agency, this book should be in every institution of higher education’s library.” Lembe Tiky, Director of Academic Development, International Studies Association.Table of ContentsPart One: Legacy of Decolonization.- Sixty Years Later: Africa’s Stalled Decolonization.- Post-Colonial Period in the History of Africa: Development Challenges.- Rethinking the Role of Araujo Castro in Brazilian Position on the Decolonization of Africa.- USSR and the Nkrumah’s Project of the Union of African States, 1963-1965. (Based on Russian Archival Materials).- Part Two: Emerging Powers and Africa in the context of Multipolar World Formation.- Designs of the Four: Comparing African Strategies of Russia, China, US and EU against the Backdrop of the (re-)Emerging Bipolarity.- Russia–Africa: New Cooperation Prospects in a Changing World.- Africa’s Shadow Rise and the Mirage of Economic Development.- Security and Development in China-Africa Contemporary Cooperation.- Costs and Benefits of China’s Role in Southern Africa.- Africa in the Hierarchy of China's Core National Interests.- Part Three: African Solutions to African Problems: the Role of Africans in Peacekeeping.- The African Union and Peacekeeping in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities.- African Peacekeeping and African Integration: Current Challenges.- IGAD’s Mediation and Peacekeeping in Africa: Challenges and Perspective.- Women’s Participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Overcoming Barriers.- Farmer-Herders Conflict as a Challenge to National Unity in Nigeria.- Part Four: Mental Decolonization through Non-Western International Relations Theories.- Analytic Afrocentricity and the Future of African Studies.- African Foreign Policy Thought and Classical Political Doctrines: the Commonality of Ethical and Axiological Grounds.- In Quest of African IR Theories: Panafricanism and National Ideologies, Critical Theories or Post-colonial Studies?.- An African Worldview on International Relations: Theory and State Policy.- Part Five: Decolonization in the 21st Century and Future Perspectives.- Problem of African Agency in International Relations from the European Union Viewpoint.- Information Dependence as the Neocolonialism of the 21st Century: Past, Present, Future.

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Book SynopsisThis book constitutes a critical review of Nigeria’s attempts to achieve rapid industrial development since independence from Britain in 1960. It details the issues, challenges, and hard choices confronted by Nigerian political leadership and highlights the reasons why the country ultimately failed to achieve industrial take-off in spite of its abundant human and material resources. Chapters take a retrospective look at government industrial development policies and programs, including the steel industry, agro-allied and forest-based industries, and the industrial estate development program. The book also discusses tariff and trade policies, incentives and disincentives to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the manufacturing sector, and small and medium enterprise (SME) development. The book concludes with a look at the recent drive towards regional integration as well as the potential impact of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and sixteen countries of West Africa. Providing an exhaustive history of Nigeria’s economic and industrial development, this volume will be of interest to researchers and students of African economics, development studies, and industrial organization, as well as policy makers in both the public and private sectors.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Emerging Nigerian Economy.- Chapter 2: Manufacturing Sector in the Nigerian Economy.- Chapter 3: Industrial Development Policies and Strategies.- Chapter 4: The Nigerian Steel Industry: Retrospect and Prospect.- Chapter 5: Resources and Opportunities for Competitive Industrial Systems in Nigeria’s Agro-allied and Forest-based industries.- Chapter 6: A Hard Look at Industrial Estate Development in Nigeria.- Chapter 7: Incentives and Disincentives to Foreign Direct Investment in the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector.- Chapter 8: An Appraisal of the Export Potential of Made- in- Nigeria Goods.- Chapter 9: Tariff Harmonization in West Africa and Africa : Prospects for the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector.- Chapter 10: Future of the Manufacturing Sector in West Africa Under the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.- Chapter 11: Small and Medium Enterprise Development under the Structural Adjustment Programme in Nigeria.- Chapter 12: Business Incubators and Small Enterprise Development in Nigeria.- Chapter 13:Policies and Strategic Issues in Promoting Rapid Industrial Development in Nigeria.- Appendices.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an examination of major problems facing the world using mathematics of uncertainty. These problems include climate change, coronavirus pandemic, human tracking, biodiversity, and other grand challenges. Mathematics of uncertainty is used in a modern more general sense than traditional mathematics. Since accurate data is impossible to obtain concerning human tracking and other global problems, mathematics of uncertainty is an ideal discipline to study these problems. The authors place several scientific studies into different mathematical settings such as nonstandard analysis and soft logic. Fuzzy differentiation is used to model the spread of diseases such as the coronavirus. The book uses fuzzy graph theory to examine the problems of human tracking and illegal immigration. The book is an excellent reference source for advanced under-graduate and graduate students in mathematics and the social sciences as well as for researchers and teachers.Table of ContentsPreliminaries.- Nonstandard Fuzzy Sets.- Grand Challenges.- Bribery and Corruption.- Know Your Country.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book analyses how informal economy traders and the marketplace institution dominate the local economy in African cities. According to the World Bank, being an African reduces the probability that an individual is an entrepreneur in the manufacturing sector by more than 95 percent. Exporting unprocessed strategic raw materials and importing large volumes of finished goods stagnate Africa’s informal sector while creating formal jobs overseas. This suggests employment increases in distributive trade and persistence of the marketplace institution in reducing urban unemployment and income inequality. However, there is limited knowledge of the men and women with permanent stalls in large urban marketplaces that function daily as a temporary city within a city, even though they are the major actors in distribute trade. More important their daily out-of-stall contacts resulting from maintaining complex social and economic relationships that determine the financial health of family, business, and the economy are generally unexplored and largely unknown, but have significant unintended consequences on the urban mobility system. Researchers, planners, development practitioners and policymakers have, therefore, not focused their attention and considered the impacts of the powerful economic institution – marketplaces and traders - in framing transport planning processes and urban development policies, and that is the paradox surrounding marketplace trade and urban development in West Africa. Table of ContentsChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Marketplace Entrepreneurs and Urban Mobility infrastructureChapter 3: Onitsha: The Largest market in Nigeria - One of the largest in West AfricaChapter 4: Challenges Facing Urban Marketplace TradersChapter 5: Attributes Impacting Out-of-Stall ContactsChapter 6: A Geography of Contacts in a Large Urban MarketplaceChapter 7: Sustainability of Marketplace Institution and TradersChapter 8: Planning and Policy Support for Marketplace Trade

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Book SynopsisThis book provides recent research on soft computing and fuzzy methodologies in innovation management and sustainability. The uncertainty in the business world is increasing. Significant changes are generated unexpectedly, so using fuzzy logic and soft computing methods allows us to create flexible scenarios adaptable to new realities. Within the book, we will find different applications of fuzzy methodologies that can apply to various topics such as sustainability, innovation, tourism, costs, exports, systems administration, among others. The book's main contribution is the applicability of the various methodologies to specific cases, which allows generating a relationship between theory and practice. In addition, it has some bibliometric studies on various topics that give us a visualization of what has happened and where multiple topics are headed. This book is recommended mainly for students who wish to know how the various fuzzy and soft computing tools can be taken to real situations, allowing a better understanding of these and generating new visions of future applicability.Table of ContentsRanking of Innovation and Sustainability of Tourist Destinations in Sinaloa: An Analysis with the Ordered Weighted Average Operator.- Dimensional Analysis under Pythagorean Fuzzy Set with Hesitant Linguists Term Entropy Information.- Conditions of Technology Access for Remote Work in the Quaternary Sector in Mexico in Times of COVID-19.

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Book SynopsisWhere can one get a synthesis of research findings on urban development planning in Africa? This book addresses this gap in knowledge by distilling existing research to provide insights into theories, research designs, empirical findings and approaches on urban development planning in Africa. Starting with the overall planning culture and strategies, the book chapters move on to specific themes such as governance, population, poverty, water, recreation, transport, agriculture, air quality and rural-urban linkages. This book reduces the prevailing risk of unnecessary duplication of research and the inadequate attention that is being given to extending research in new areas. This situation has partly been due to existing research remaining scattered in different organizations and publications and has not been subjected to critical synthesis to unearth any new developments that it contains. The book makes available research findings to be utilized in current and future urban development planning in Africa.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Navigating the Urban Development Planning Landscape in AfricaChapter 2: Planning CulturesChapter 3 : Political Management and Governance Chapter 4 : Agriculture Chapter 5 : Financial Resources Chapter 6 : Population Planning and Management Chapter 7 : Managing Poverty Chapter 8 : Public Transport Services Chapter 9 : Water Management Chapter 10 : Rural-urban Linkages Chapter 11 : Recreation Planning and Management Chapter 12 : Air Quality

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Book SynopsisThis book analyzes the use of the mobile Internet against the background of gender bias and Covid-19, currently two of the most important and pressing problems of the Global South. The book argues that the degree of benefits from this new technology depends heavily on the way it is actually used and that most new technologies are developed for the conditions prevailing in rich countries, where they tend to be quite easily adopted and used. In the Global South, by contrast, a paucity of digital skills and other factors make the potentially valuable benefits from the Internet much more difficult to derive. Using empirical data recently provided by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), the book examines the existence and extent of the digital divide between males and females in mobile Internet use, which constitutes a new form of divide. It sheds light on the acute difficulty for first-time mobile Internet users in the Global South, and especially Sub-Saharan Africa, to learn the digital skills that are needed to use the said technology effectively, with a special focus on how these users acquire the required knowledge, without having undergone the process of learning by doing. The book further discusses the determinants of digital skills in the Global South, as well as major factors underlying the extent to which different users actually benefit from the mobile Internet, such as gender, location, age, and education. Finally, it investigates how womens' use of the Internet has been altered by the pandemic in the Global South.This book will appeal to students, researchers, and scholars of development economics and development studies, as well as policy-makers interested in a better understanding of the impact of gender bias and Covid-19 on mobile internet use in the Global South.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. First-Time Users of the Mobile Internet in the Global South.- Chapter 3. The Gender Digital Divide in Mobile Internet Use: Evidence, Explanations and Policy for the Global-South.- Chapter 4. Gender, Mobile Internet and COVID-19 in the Global South: Multiple Causalities.- Chapter 5. The Digital Use Divide Between Males and Females at Different Levels of Aggregation.

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Book SynopsisSeit Ende der 90er-Jahre kursiert das Konzept der Agilität in der Organisationsforschung und versucht vor allem für Unternehmen zu eruieren, wie qua Schnelligkeit und Flexibilität der Unternehmensprozesse mit steigender Umweltvolatilität und -ambiguität umgegangen werden kann. Dominierend sind dabei managementorientierte Betrachtungen von Führung, Strategie, Kultur und vor allem Struktur. In sie werden in jüngerer Zeit zunehmend Vorstellungen einer internen, stationären Organisationskommunikation integriert, die klassisch-instrumenteller Natur sind und die das Konzept innerhalb der Organisation fördern, umsetzen und anleiten sollen. Wenig Beachtung finden hingegen aktuell noch kritische Stimmen zur Agilität, die einen Gegenpol zur ausschließlichen Befürwortung zweckorientierter Agilisierungen bilden. Die vorliegende Arbeit fragt zum einen danach, was passiert, wenn das spezifische Konzept der Agilität aus einem Management- und stark Akteurs-orientierten Betrachtungsrahmen herausgelöst und mit einer neuen, systemtheoretisch geprägten Organisationsauffassung nach Luhmann synthetisiert wird und eruiert zum anderen, was dies für Implikationen für die bisherigen Sichtweisen der internen Organisationskommunikation in Verbindung mit dem Konzept hat. Table of ContentsEinleitung.- Theoretische Grundlagen I: Organisationen.- Theoretische Grundlagen II: Interne Organisationskommunikation.- Theoretische Grundlagen III: Organisationale Agilität.- Agilität und interne Kommunikation in der Managementperspektive.- Agilität aus Perspektive der Luhmann’schen Systemtheorie.- Struktursynthese: Entwicklung eines Modells dynamischer Stabilität.- Ein angepasstes Agilitäts- und Organisationsverständnis.- Interne Organisationskommunikation als integriertes Post-Narrativ.- Das Post-Narrativ in der Anwendung.- Diskussion und Reflexion.- Zusammenfassung.- Einordnungskommentar und Forschungsperspektiven

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Book SynopsisThis book has been put together with the aim of catering to the needs of individuals engaged in small-scale businesses, and its language and style have been intentionally simplified to effectively reach a wide range of interest groups. It is important to note that the majority of the materials in this book have been gathered from a combination of field surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, questionnaires, and literature reviews on the relevant topics. The field of economics is vast and complex, with many different areas of focus. While there are numerous texts and publications on economics, books that focus on applying economic principles to the entrepreneurship system are relatively rare. As a result, entrepreneurs, government officials, students of economics and business management, and others often struggle to adapt economic principles to the world of business. This book, along with its predecessors, aims to bridge this gap by providing an in-depth exploration of entrepreneurship principles and small-scale business practices. To achieve this goal, the books structure has been designed to present a comprehensive overview of these topics.

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Book SynopsisAuthored by an independent group of scientists appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 presents a science-based call for transformations to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The authors analyse the phases of transformation, including emergence, acceleration and stabilisation, and offer recommendations on how to achieve these phases in a range of sectors. The authors also present recommendations on making science itself more fit for purpose to achieve sustainable development

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Book SynopsisThe 2024 edition of the United Nations' World Economic Situation and Prospects report comes amid stark global economic inequalities and high geopolitical tensions. While rich economies have largely bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, developing economies have lost ground. Many are drowning in debt, with more than a third at risk of crisis. Investment in climate action and sustainable development is falling woefully short. Hunger and poverty are on the rise. And growing divisions between countries and economies are preventing an effective response. As this report makes clear, 2024 is projected to be another tough year. Sluggish global growth is projected to slow further. Investment will remain weak. The debt crisis will continue to spiral, as debt service obligations reach new heights. Devastating conflicts and escalating extreme weather are bringing uncertainty and risk to the global economy

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Book SynopsisThis year marks the start of the Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It is a critical period to advance a shared vision and accelerate responses to the world's gravest challenges - from eliminating poverty and hunger to reversing climate change. Yet, in only a brief period of time, the precipitous spread of the novel coronavirus turned a public health emergency into one of the worst international crises of our lifetimes, changing the world as we know it. Now, due to COVID-19, an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis is threatening lives and livelihoods, making the achievement of Goals even more challenging.

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Book SynopsisThe Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 presents how far we have come towards reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This seventh edition of the annual report also looks at the trends since 2015 and impact of COVID-19 on the progress. It uses the latest available data and inputs from custodian agencies of the United Nations system other international agencies and is prepared by the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Book SynopsisThe Annual Report chronicles the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's achievements and future goals, against a backdrop of major global shifts sweeping across the economic, social and environmental landscape. UN ESCAP promotes rigorous analysis and peer learning through its seven core areas of work: macroeconomic policy and development, trade and investment, social development, transport, statistics, environment and development, information communications technology and disaster risk reduction.

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Book SynopsisThis report shows how sustainability standards can be a powerful tool for post-pandemic recovery. It traces the origin of sustainability standards, their evolution from niche to mainstream, and industry trends. Companies use them widely in their value chains. Investor choices and government policies are also being shaped by these standards

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Book SynopsisPharmaceuticals, baby food, cotton clothing and cars are the four focus value chains of this report. Together they are poised to increase intra-regional trade in Africa, reduce imports, diversify economies and create jobs for women and youth. The sectors were selected from 94 promising value chains and reflect African goals to improve food security, health and tech skills, making them strategic choices for governments and investors. This report offers insights to improve trade in such sectors, based on extensive data analysis and interviews with 10,000 firms, business support organizations, industry experts and other stakeholders in Africa. It recommends actions for growth and transformation across the African continent

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Book SynopsisThis is the United Nations definitive report on the state of the world economy, providing global and regional economic outlook for 2020 and 2021. Produced by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the five United Nations regional commissions, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, with contributions from the UN World Tourism Organization and other intergovernmental agencies

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Book SynopsisThe world continues to confront multiple, inter-connected crises. Amid a slow recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is facing a food and energy crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine with record high inflation unleashing a cost-of-living crisis. Developing countries are in trouble over the costs of imports and debt servicing, and a climate crisis continues to wreak havoc in the most vulnerable countries and populations. Amid monetary tightening, subdued consumption, and private investments, judicious government spending will remain critical for steering economic recovery worldwide. The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 will underscore the imperative of supportive and accommodative fiscal measures to lift growth and accelerate SDG progress

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Book SynopsisThe publication, prepared as a contribution to the BAPA+40 Conference delves into what the future of South-South cooperation holds for developing countries, and how it can be re-energized and revitalized as a unique area of development cooperation. Given the trajectory of South-South cooperation over the last 40 years, the way forward needs to be traced, particularly in important areas of work like regional cooperation and digital industrialization. Section 1 of the report looks at the evidence behind the so-called “rise of the South” to document the qualitative and quantitative changes observed in South-South cooperation over the past four decades, highlighting that, while South-South cooperation has intensified, its impact remains uneven and incomplete. Section 2 looks at South-South cooperation's link to the means of implementation for the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly with respect to trade and development issues, drawing on an example addressing Sustainable Development Goal 7, to highlight how South-South cooperation can provide critical solutions to the South's development challenges. Section 3 examines policy options in a number of domains that can help improve South-South cooperation, drawing from a wide range of UNCTAD experience. Section 4 looks at the new landscape of Southern development finance actors and how developing countries can draw on this new emerging source of South-South cooperation to finance connectivity, structural transformation and industrialization. Section 5 explores key and emerging areas for South-South cooperation, including regional cooperation, building productive capacity and responsible investment. Section 6 looks at best practices in South-South cooperation drawn from UNCTAD technical cooperation experiences. Section 7 looks at the role that South-South cooperation can play in light of new technologies, in particular related to so-called 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' technologies.

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Book SynopsisIn the aftermath of COVID-19 (coronavirus), African countries will need to intensify their resource mobilization efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Economic Development in Africa Report 2020 adopts a multi-disciplinary methodology to tackle the relationship between illicit financial flows (IFFs) and the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in Africa. Its inclusive approach integrates a gender lens and gives voice to multiple vantage points, from civil society to firms doing business in Africa. Building on established measures of IFFs, the Report provides new insights on country estimates of export misinvoicing on the continent and highlights specific characteristics of mineral commodities. It also underlines some of the motivations and root causes of IFFs.

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Book SynopsisThe African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to be a game changer for development ambitions in Africa. The design of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area reflects an explicit commitment to create a framework for deeper socioeconomic integration and improved cooperation that enables trade, investment and the mobility of people, to support industrialization and the development of a dynamic services sector. Such achievements could ultimately generate decent jobs and increase revenue and thereby contribute to inclusive growth on the continent. A greater emphasis on deeper intraregional trade, cross-border investments in infrastructure and fostering 'made in Africa' trade and industrialization policies is key to the continent's future prosperity and resilience to global financial, food-related, climatic and pandemic-related shocks. For the African Continental Free Trade Area to be a game changer, countries in Africa need to adopt policies that enhance consistency between trade measures, diversification objectives and inclusivity. Unless this is accomplished, the Free Trade Area may be restricted to a trade liberalization agenda and thereby not fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of Africa. If effectively implemented, the African Continental Free Trade Area can help address challenges emanating from the excessive reliance in Africa on the supply of primary commodities and goods embodying limited value added to world markets

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Book SynopsisCommodity dependence is a trap: once a country is commodity dependent, it is difficult to develop a productive sector out of commodities and export non-commodity products. This publication argues that without strong action at the highest political level in Commodity-dependent Developing Countries (CDDCs), these countries will remain trapped for centuries. It demonstrates how technology and innovation could lead the way to economic and structural transformation in CDDCs, helping to diversify economies and lessen dependence on the commodity sector and, in turn, strengthen productivity growth. Enabling CDDCs to escape from the commodity dependence trap requires stronger cooperation between CDDCs and their trading and development partners with regard to technological acquisition and domestication. Indeed, a conducive framework for technology accessibility and its transfer to CDDCs is ultimately needed at the international level

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Book SynopsisThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines international trade as 'an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, [that] contributes to the promotion of sustainable development'. In order to become a 'sustainable engine' one approach that seems to be increasingly used is to internalise social, economic and environmental concerns in international trade. This can be done by many different means and policy instruments and tools. This report focuses on a specific tool, namely Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) which comprise of certification schemes, labeling programs and private standards. VSS aim to make global value chains - from producer to consumer - more sustainable, taking into account social and environmental requirements in the production process. VSS also often link developing countries (where many producers are based) to developed countries

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Book SynopsisThe purpose of this statistical report is to promote UNCTAD statistics and UNCTAD's engagement with Agenda 2030. Small island developing States (SIDS) face an uphill battle as they strive to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis amid vulnerabilities worsened by the pandemic. The 2021 edition of UNCTAD's Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures report, highlights the numerous strengths and challenges facing these economically vulnerable countries

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Book SynopsisThe Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review of Zambia has three fundamental goals. Its first goal is to offer Zambia an assessment of activities and institutions that make up its innovation ecosystem. The second goal is to draw attention to important socio-economic development questions for Zambia. Special attention has been placed on four such questions: gender, food, mining and digital transformation. The third goal is to provide recommendations for strengthening STI policy and propose measures that may improve national technological capacities and encourage innovation

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Book SynopsisThe report aims to present a measurement framework for collecting and interpreting information on the adoption of new and emerging technologies by business sector firms in developing countries. Such framework is needed due to the existing data limitations and lack of information on the patterns of adoption and use of frontier technologies in productive sectors in developed and developing countries, which may be very uneven and partial even in the most advanced countries. More information is needed in terms of what sectors are adopting frontier technologies, which parts of different value chains, and what kinds of firms are adopting them and how extensively they are diffused in the economy. Information is also needed about the firms using frontier technologies in terms of such characteristics as their batch size and the standardization of their products. That information is critical to inform STI policies aiming to promote the use, adoption and adaptation of frontier technologies in developing countries

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Book SynopsisThis Guidance document (GCI) provides practical information on how the Core Indicators for Sustainability and SDG Impact Reporting can be measured in a consistent manner and in alignment with countries' needs on monitoring the attainment of the SDG Agenda. It is intended to serve as a tool to assist governments in assessing the private sector contribution to the SDGs, enabling them to report on SDG indicator 12.6.1. It also intends to assist entities in providing data on sustainability issues in a consistent and comparable manner. Beyond the objective of SDG impact measurement, the GCI also facilitates capacity building in the area of sustainability reporting in general.

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Book SynopsisThis is the second edition of the Best Policy Practices for Promoting Energy Efficiency publication prepared in the framework of the United Nations Development Account project "Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development". It provides additional exemplars of the best policy practices for promoting energy efficiency in UNECE region and beyond. The objective of the publication is to present a structured framework of policies and measures to promote energy efficiency investments for climate change mitigation and sustainable development, as well as to develop a menu of energy efficiency policies and measures.

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Book SynopsisThe Innovation for Sustainable Development Review of Uzbekistan contains the outcomes of a policy advisory exercise that drew on the experience accumulated by the UNECE in the identification of good practices and policy lessons in the area of knowledge-based development, with particular reference to the problems of countries with economies in transition. It provides a set of recommendations and policy options to stimulate innovation activity in the country, enhance its innovation capacity and improve the overall efficiency of the national innovation system

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Book SynopsisThe handbook aims to support policymakers in the seven countries of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) to design and implement policies in support of innovative, high-growth enterprises (IHGEs) as a powerful driver of sustainable development, a resilient post-Covid-19 recovery and the green and circular economy transitions. Innovative high-growth enterprises, due to their outsized role in job and value creation as they experiment with new ideas and respond to new incentives, hold much potential for transformative change. Differing greatly from the rest of the business sector, these enterprises require targeted support to realize their potential. This Handbook provides tailored guidance to SPECA policymakers on policy support for IHGEs

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Book SynopsisThis journal is published twice yearly and aims to stimulate debate and enrich research in the formulation of policy in the Asia-Pacific region towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is the successor of two earlier journals, the Asia-Pacific Development Journal (APDJ) and the Asia-Pacific Population Journal (APPJ), which were merged in recognition of the interconnected and multidisciplinary nature of sustainable development.

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Book SynopsisThe Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Journal (APSDJ) is a rebranded publication issued by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It builds on the success of two former ESCAP journals - the Asia-Pacific Population Journal (APPJ), launched in 1986, and the Asia-Pacific Development Journal (APDJ), launched in 1994. APSDJ us based on the recognition of the interconnected and multidisciplinary nature of sustainable development. Published biannually, it aims to stimulate debate and assist in the formulation of evidence-based policymaking in the Asia-Pacific region towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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Book SynopsisThe Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2022 analyses regional and subregional progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. This publication applies a measurement framework developed by ESCAP to identify progress gaps and acceleration requirements at goal, target and indicator levels. On chapter 3 (Vulnerabilities and the pandemic: Risk of widening disparities), the report was developed in cooperation with UN agencies; ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNODC, and UNWomen. The following topics are introduced in the report: Chapter 1 - Regional overview Chapter 2 - Around Asia-Pacific: Diverse progress across subregions Chapter 3 - Vulnerabilities and the pandemic: Risk of widening disparities Chapter 4 - Unpacking the SDG data gaps

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Book SynopsisThe Annual Report chronicles the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's achievements and future goals, against a backdrop of major global shifts sweeping across the economic, social and environmental landscape. UN ESCAP promotes rigorous analysis and peer learning through its seven core areas of work: macroeconomic policy and development, trade and investment, social development, transport, statistics, environment and development, information communications technology and disaster risk reduction.

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Book SynopsisThe Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Journal (APSDJ) is published twice a year by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). It is the continuation of UNESCAP's Asia Pacific Development Journal (APDJ) with explicit recognition of sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). APSDJ provides a platform for policymakers to share their experiences. It also offers opportunities to academics and researchers in their early careers to develop their capacity for policy-oriented and applied research.

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Book SynopsisThe 2019 edition of the Economic Report on Africa explores the intricate terrain of revenue collection on the continent and makes salient recommendations to help African countries attain the SDGs and the aspirations of Agenda 2063 by expanding their fiscal space and how. It identifies several quick wins in Africa's pursuit of additional fiscal space to finance achievement of the SDGs and the aspirations of Agenda 2063. The Report calls on African countries to stabilize the macroeconomic environment, it advises against using competitive tax breaks for attracting international companies, and calls on African countries and their global partners to muster external public and private resources, at the same time, urges countries to pay attention to debt sustainability issues.

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Book SynopsisThis 2016 Africa Human Development Report on gender equality follows the 2012 Africa Human Development Report, which looked at the importance of assuring food security for all Africans. The two reports share a common objective of addressing what might be considered two unfinished agenda items on Africa's development trajectory. Both have long been recognized as important priorities for the governments and citizens of African countries. This year's report on gender equality reviews the ongoing efforts of African countries to accelerate the pace of assuring women's empowerment through all spheres of society - in the home and community, in health and educational attainment, in the workplace, and in political participation and leadership. While significant progress has been made across numerous fronts in most countries, gender equality for African women and girls is still far from satisfactory. This report adopts a political economy approach to gender equality and women's empowerment in Africa.

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Book SynopsisDans la continuité des Rapports sur le développement humain (RDH) 2019 et 2020, le RDH 2021/22 poursuit une conversation centrée sur les inégalités tout en intégrant d'autres thématiques importantes liées aux incertitudes de l'Anthropocène : transformations sociétales, impacts sur la santé mentale, polarisation politique , mais aussi, et surtout, une opportunité. Le rapport explore comment l'incertitude dans l'Anthropocène évolue, ce qui la motive, ce qu'elle signifie pour le développement humain et comment nous pouvons prospérer malgré cela. Le rapport soutient qu'en fin de compte, doubler le développement humain est essentiel à un avenir plus prospère pour tous.

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