The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World

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The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World - TWAS

The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) represents the best of science in the developing world. Its principal aim is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the South.

TWAS is an autonomous international organization, founded in Trieste, Italy in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. It was officially launched by the then-secretary general of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar, in 1985. Since inception, TWAS's operational expenses have largely been covered by generous contributions of the Italian government. TWAS and several of its affiliates are housed within ICTP's premises.

The Academy's more than 660 Fellows and Associate Fellows are elected from among the world's most distinguished scientists. Fellows are citizens of the South; Associate Fellows are citizens of the North who either were born in the South or have made significant contributions to the advancement of science in the South. About 80 percent of TWAS's membership are Fellows representing some 60 countries in the South.

Since 1986 TWAS has supported scientific research in 100 countries in the South through a variety of programmes. More than 2,000 eminent scientists worldwide, including TWAS members, peer review proposals free-of-charge for research grants, fellowships and awards that are submitted to the Academy by scientists and institutions in developing countries.

The TWAS secretariat is located on the first floor of the Enrico Fermi Building of The ICTP.

The postal address is:

The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)
c/o The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
Strada Costiera 11
I-34014 Trieste (Italy)

For any further information, please contact:

Ms. Sandra Ravalico (EFB room 109)
Phone: (+39) 040 2240 327
Fax: (+39) 040 224559
E-mail: info@twas.org

Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO)

In 1988 TWAS facilitated the establishment of the Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO), a non-governmental alliance of some 150 scientific organizations in the South. TWNSO's goal is to help build political and scientific leadership in the South for science-based economic development and promote sustainable development through South-South and South-North partnerships in science and technology. TWAS provides the secretariat for TWNSO and co-sponsors a number of its activities.

Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)

TWAS also played a key role in the establishment of the Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS). TWOWS, launched in 1993, now has more than 2000 members representing over 80 countries in the South. Its main objectives are to promote women's leadership in science and technology in the South and to strengthen their participation in science-based development and decision-making processes. The TWOWS secretariat is hosted and assisted by TWAS.

InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP)

Since May 2000, TWAS has served as the secretariat for the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP), a global network of 85 science academies worldwide established in 1993. IAP's primary goal is to help member academies work together to inform citizens and advise decision-makers on the scientific aspects of critical global issues.

InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP)

The InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) is a group of medical academies or the medical divisions of science academies from around the world. It has recently moved its secretariat to The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) in Trieste, Italy. IAMP, which was created in May 2000, seeks to improve global health, especially among the world's poorest nations; build scientific capacity for addressing health-related issues; and provide independent scientific advice to national governments and international bodies for the promotion of health science and health care policy.