The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, are organizing a conference focusing on "Afghanistan and Its Geographical Context: Development of a Regional Network of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation". The conference, taking place within the context of the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, will be held at the Palazzo della Borsa in Trieste, Italy, on 26 June, 14:30-20:30. 

Franco Frattini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan, and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, will present opening speeches.

Two plenary sessions will follow. The first will focus on the role of science academies in knowledge development and scientific capacity, and the second on the role of international organizations. Among those slated to make presentations are Marcio Barbosa, deputy director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Presidents and representatives of the Afghan, Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, Iranian, Italian, Pakistani, Russian and Turkish academies of sciences and heads of scientific centres will also speak. So too will the directors of Trieste's international science organizations.

For additional information, including the complete programme, contact Daniel Schaffer, schaffer@twas.org, or mobile +39-340-785-8914.