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TWAS PresidentQuarraisha Abdool Karim,left, and TWAS FellowHelena B.

TWAS President Quarraisha Abdool Karim on the third day of the 17th TWAS General Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo: Mario Marques) The current Ebola outbreak has exposed a familiar reality: We need strong science and delivery systems to rapidly identify, understand, detect, treat and prevent the spread of emerging and re-emerging threats in order to mitigate their social and economic impacts.

The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) welcomed early- and mid-career climate scientists from across the global South to Trieste, Italy, for a three-day Climate Training Workshop that took place on 5–7 May 2026. The event brought together 37 scientists from 27 developing countries and 8 leading experts, including several scientists affiliated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading climate assessment body.

An esteemed surgeon, Farrokh Saidi was the founder of the Iranian Society for the Study of Esophageal Cancer Iranian surgeon Farrokh Saidi, elected to TWAS in 1987, passed away on 2 August 2026. A native of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he received his higher education from Cornell University (USA, 1947–1950) and Harvard Medical School (USA, 1950–1954).

To explore the opportunities, challenges, and growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science worldwide, particularly in the global South, TWAS has launched a monthly Distinguished Speaker Webinar Series on AI and Data Science. The third webinarwill feature Prof. Ricardo Baeza-Yates. The event will take place online via Zoom on 10 August 2026 at 3:00 pm CEST, in a 40-minute online lecture format, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session. Register here. Prof. Ricardo Baeza-Yates.

He pioneered the use of satellite data to characterize human activity from space The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) has named Prof. Guo Huadong—elected to TWAS in 2012 and the director general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS)—as the recipient of the 2026 IAF Hall of Fame Award.

The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) brought together 12 pairs of scientists and policymakers from 13 countries, including Malawi, Paraguay, and Tajikistan, in Trieste, Italy, for the 13th AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy.

The 22nd TYAN International Thematic Workshop highlighted the need to bridge research, policy, and practice to shape AI's impact on society The 22nd TYAN International Thematic Workshop Titled From Data to Impact: Inclusive AI Solutions for Nigeria and the Global South, organized jointly with the 5th African Symposium in Akure, Nigeria, brought together 84 distinguished academics, researchers, technology experts, and students from Africa and beyond.

Applications can only be submitted electronically through the online platform: https://onlineforms.twas.org/apply/301 A complete list of information and materialto include through the online forms is below.

TWAS-TYAN launch a Joint Seminar Series. The first webinar will feature Prof. Paul Arthur Berkman and will take place online on 13 July at 3 PM CEST. Register now to attend. TWAS and the TWAS Young Affiliates Network (TYAN) are joining forces to create new opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration, with the aim of supporting the next generation of scientific leaders.