Abstract: Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has historically been a recipient of foreign aid; in 2023 alone, it received more than $4 billion in official development assistance. This influx of foreign aid is intended to support the Nigerian Government's efforts to address significant socio-economic issues such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, and labor shortages. However, despite this influx, Nigeria continues to struggle with political and socio-economic problems. This has led to an ongoing debate among academics about the actual impact of international aid on the country's development trajectory. At the heart of this debate is the complex relationship between the dynamics of foreign aid and Nigeria's political economy. Political factors also influence the policy and use of foreign aid, disproportionately benefiting some regions compared to others. Corruption and poor governance prevent aid from being directed towards profitable investments, limiting its economic benefits in Nigeria. This study examines how foreign aid affects Nigeria's development through case studies, a theoretical framework, and a literature review. The political economy approach emphasizes the interaction of political, economic, and social elements in determining development outcomes. The novelty of the study also lies in the synthesis of existing literature with in-depth practical research to demonstrate the intricacies of providing assistance in the Nigerian context. By linking theoretical foundations such as institutional theory with real-world examples such as the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the study provides a comprehensive analysis of aid management, accountability, and sustainability issues. The results of this study highlight the need to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve data collection and monitoring systems, and promote collaboration between government, civil society, and foreign donors to increase aid transparency and accountability. Ultimately, this study provides valuable information for policy makers and development professionals seeking to maximize the impact of foreign aid on Nigeria's sustainable development.

Keywords: Developing Nations, Official Development Aid, Governance, Poverty Reduction, Economic development, Aid Effectiveness, Corruption, Foreign aid, Political economy, Infrastructure

Abstract: The relevance of the research is determined by the current state of the global energy market: after 2022, a rapid process of forming new trade and economic ties and diversifying the geography of energy resource supplies began. In these conditions, states and companies are making active efforts to occupy new niches and enhance the quality of their supplied goods portfolio. The object of the study is the vertically integrated oil and gas companies of Russia. Vertical integration in energy sector has been characteristic of the development of Western structures since the first half of the 20th century; however, in Russia, despite the historical emergence of such organizations, this process has taken a different path. The subject of the study is the role of vertically integrated oil and gas companies in Russia's foreign policy as an important element of the country's economy and politics. Promising projects of the largest oil and gas companies are now positioning the country among the global leaders in the fuel and energy sector, enhancing Russia's prestige and generating necessary high revenues from export activities in the context of large-scale sanctions and pressure from the West. The methodological foundation of the research includes general scientific, historical, and other methods used in similar studies: in particular, historical-comparative method, systemic and critical analysis, content analysis, etc. The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of the historical experience of forming vertically integrated structures in Russia, identifying the main problems at the turn of the USSR's collapse, and focusing on several key features of the activities of vertically integrated oil and gas companies in the country's foreign policy. The study allows for the following conclusions: firstly, the construction of vertically integrated companies occurred with the support of the state and enabled the free movement of capital in the sector, accelerated technological breakthroughs, and developed lagging areas. Secondly, this affected the entire industry and provided Russia with an effective tool for foreign energy policy – the promising projects of the largest oil and gas companies now position the country among the global leaders in the fuel and energy sector and contribute to enhancing Russia's prestige.

Keywords: Fuel and energy complex, Politics, Oil and Gas, International cooperation, International relations, Foreign policy, Vertically integrated oil and gas business, History, Energy, Russia

Abstract: This study focuses on the interaction between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from 2015 to 2024. The relevance of the topic is discussed in the context of globalization and the strong commitment of ASEAN countries to the SDGs. Despite Vietnam's significant role in promoting the SDGs in the region, their implementation faces numerous challenges, particularly due to the differences in development levels among the countries in the region and global environmental issues. The subject of the research is the interaction between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in achieving the SDGs from 2015 to 2024, while the research object includes the directions, forms, and mechanisms of cooperation in their implementation. The aim of the study is to identify the specifics, analyze trends, and examine the issues of interaction between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in this area over the specified period. The study uses theories of international relations, in particular the neoliberal paradigm, to analyze the relationship between Vietnam and ASEAN in the process of implementing the SDGs. The novelty of the study lies in the systematization and in-depth analysis of the unique mechanisms of interaction between Vietnam and ASEAN in terms of implementing the SDGs, identifying the specifics of its role as a key actor in the context of heterogeneous regional development. The author seeks to substantiate new knowledge about Vietnam's contribution to overcoming climate and financial challenges through innovative initiatives that have not previously received a comprehensive study in the context of ASEAN activities. The conclusions of the study indicate that, despite the significant expansion of cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in implementing the SDGs, it still faces challenges such as development inequality and a lack of financial resources. Thus, the article presents a comprehensive overview of the cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in the implementation of the SDGs, emphasizing its importance for sustainable development in the region and globally.

Keywords: sustainable development, gender equality, infrastructure, energy, education, poverty reduction, cooperation, Vietnam, ASEAN, SDGs

Abstract: The article analyzes the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Caspian region on energy relations between China and Russia. The subject of the study is the transformation of energy relations between China and Russia under the influence of BRI projects in the Caspian region, including infrastructure initiatives (BTK railway, Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline), their role in creating alternative transit routes that bypass Russia. The geoeconomic expansion of China, its impact on the redistribution of the balance of power in Eurasia, competition for control over energy resources and logistics are analyzed. The contradictions between formal cooperation (EAEU, SCO) and hidden rivalry are studied, as well as the consequences for Russia's energy security: the risks of reducing the transit monopoly, weakening positions in Central Asia. Historical parallels between BRI and the Silk Road are considered, emphasizing the strategic continuity of Chinese policy. The methodology includes a historical and comparative analysis of the evolution of the Silk Road, a systematic study of strategic documents (agreements, development programs) and case studies of key projects (2013–2024), such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway and the Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline. The novelty of the study lies in the synthesis of historical parallels between ancient trade routes and modern infrastructure projects, as well as in the focus on the role of the Caspian region as a hub of energy competition. The results demonstrate that Chinese investments in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are forming alternative transit corridors to Russian ones, intensifying competition for influence in Eurasia. This creates risks for Russia's monopoly on energy transport, despite attempts to synchronize interests through the EAEU and the SCO. The scope of application of the results includes forecasting scenarios of Eurasian integration, developing energy diplomacy and analyzing the balance between cooperation and rivalry in the region. The findings highlight the need for a flexible strategy for Russia to maintain its position in Central Asia, including adapting to China’s growing economic presence and finding niches in new supply chains.

Keywords: Central Asia, Eurasian integration, transport corridors, geopolitical competition, Russia, China, energy security, Caspian region, One Belt, One Road, New Silk Road