The impact of logistics performance on the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero hunger

This study focuses on the role that international logistics performance may play in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2(Zero Hunger). We conducted a confirmatory piece of research to determine the potential importance of regional logistics coordination. Secondary data concerning the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by the World Bank and theSDG2scoresby the UN database were examined at the level of countries and regions. The analysis considers an unconditional growth model with time as the only fixed effect and random effects of time within regions and countries. The findings show that LPI is a good predictor for SDG2 level of achievement; however, there are other sources for important variation between and within regions. Therefore, when developing and implementing strategies for the improvement of international logistics performance specific regional needs should be considered. Anyway, there is a global consensus among logistics professionals that the most impactful LPI component is ‘Customs’, which needs improvement across all the regions of the world. Other priorities vary depending on the region under study. For instance, developed countries are particularly sensitive to shipment costs, whilst less developed countries’ concerns focus on improving their infrastructure.