Sept 2012
The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (originally Third World Academy of Sciences, or TWAS) was founded in Nov 1983 as a non-profit, non-governmental organization for promoting the development of science and technology in developing countries and to increase south-south cooperation in science and technology.
The second TWAS meeting was held in Beijing in Oct 1987. The host country places great importance on the general meeting. The country's leaders attend the opening ceremony, address the assembly, and award prizes.
This year, 500 foreign and 100 Chinese guests are expected to take part, under the theme "Scientific and Sustainable Development". It is expected to promote the development of science through academic exchanges.