Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is delighted to be collaborating with TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, in the publication of A World of Science in the Developing World. This supplement to the NPG, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of TWAS, is designed to explore the state of science in the developing world.

At Nature, we regularly cover science and technology in the Southern hemisphere and many of the authors in this publication have written for — or have been featured in — NPG journals. We therefore welcome this addition to the growing literature on science and technology in the developing world. A World of Science in the Developing World, however, is an independent publication and the opinions expressed in the pages that follow are strictly those of the authors and not of Nature or the NPG.

The supplement will be distributed free of charge upon request. It can also be browsed and downloaded at http://www.nature.com/twas/. We sincerely hope that you take time to examine this broad-ranging survey of science and science-based development in the South.

If readers would like additional copies of A World of Science in the Developing World, please contact: feedback@nature.com.