SciDev.Net

ASM advises the Malaysian government on issues of science and technology to upgrade the capabilities of the nation. The academy prepares relevant policy reports and publishes the ASM Journal for the dissemination of significant research. The site acts as a forum, linking the scientific community with policy makers.

AfricaLink, run by USAID, offers technical assistance to regional networks of African policymakers and scientists working in agriculture, natural resource management, and the environment. Specific services offered include access to electronic mail, resource centres and technical support desks, and training programmes for network leaders.

The AAS is a not-for-profit organisation promoting the growth of scientific and technological capabilities to support development in Africa. Its website outlines each of the organisation's activities including capacity building, training, publication and dissemination of scientific materials, research and development, and advocacy.

The ACTS is an international, intergovernmental think-tank based in Nairobi that publishes and disseminates new information on science, technology and environmental policy. It runs research and capacity-building programmes in biodiversity and environmental governance, science and technology literacy, energy and water security, agriculture and food security, technological advances and health policy. It is also involved in national, regional and international outreach activities, working with universities and governments in Africa and beyond.

AMANET promotes capacity building in African research and training institutes that specialise in malaria studies. Its objectives include promoting collaboration among stakeholders, creating international awareness about the malaria problem in Africa, identifying test sites, developing infrastructure and support for field and clinical trials, and increasing good management practices in malaria research. AMANET produces a biannual online newsletter to disseminate research findings and grant and workshop calls. It also hosts a discussion forum for registered members.

AMCOST provides a forum for formulating and implementing policies for science, technology and innovation issues that have an impact on African development. It was established by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the African Union in November 2003, and has since developed and adopted Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action.

AMCOST's website outlines ongoing projects in biodiversity, energy, water, material sciences, mathematics and space science technologies, among others. It also offers information on the activities and rationale behind both the African Panel on Biotechnology and the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative.

AFRO-NETS is a network of more than 20 health research institutes and networks. It was established in 1997 to facilitate the exchange of information among networks involved in health research for development in Anglophone Africa. It runs an electronic mailing list that acts as a forum for discussion to support collaboration in the fields such as capacity building, planning and conducting research, and transformation of research recommendations. The list also serves as a forum for announcing meetings, training courses and other events of interest to the networks.

The ATDF provides a place for inventors, business bureaus and technology transfer agents to exchange and disseminate information on innovations, technologies, business opportunities and trends in global trade. It aims to stimulate links between research organisations, industry and government. It also helps organise trade fairs and publishes a free online journal for research on science, technology and innovation for African development.

The ATPS is a multidisciplinary network of researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders interested in generating, promoting and strengthening innovative technology and industrial policies in Africa. It provides small grants for research on science and technology policy in sub-Saharan countries and disseminates results through publications, workshops, conferences and the Internet. The network also organises training for policymakers, legislators, researchers and leaders in the private sector.

AfroAIDSinfo is a web-based project of the South African Medical Research Council, which disseminates information about HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa to the media, researchers, health professionals, the public, educators and policy makers. The site has news and resources including research briefings, policy reports and health information, with a particular emphasis on access to antiretroviral drugs.

Aidspan is a relatively new independent non-profit organisation based in New York that provides critical analysis, news and comment on the activities of the Global Fund. It publishes a regular newsletter, the Global Fund Observer, and guidance to developing countries on how to apply for Global Fund support for HIV/AIDS projects.

The Alliance for Microbicide Development brings together pharmaceutical companies, non-profit research institutions and advocacy groups dedicated to the development of topical microbicides. A major highlight of its website is the new Microbicides Research and Development Database. This contains detailed information on the status of individual microbicide products, principle investigators and trial locations. (Free registration is needed for access, and some information is restricted). There is also an excellent weekly digest of news relating to microbicides reserach and development, and the Microbicide Quarterly, which has meeting reports, interviews and expert-authored articles on all areas from basic research to clinical and regulatory issues.

AmFAR is a major non-profit organisation that provides funding for AIDS research, prevention, treatment education and advocacy, including a number of global initiatives. The site also includes background information - such as a useful 'basic facts' factsheet - and an extensive glossary on HIV/AIDS related terms.

The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) is an inter-governmental network whose primary purposes are to foster global environmental change research in the Asia-Pacific region, increase developing country participation in that research, and to strengthen links between the science community and policy makers. It promotes, encourages and supports research activities on long-term global changes in climate, ocean and terrestrial systems, and on related physical, chemical, biological and socio-economic processes.

The AAU, based in Accra, promotes consultation, exchange of information and cooperation among higher education institutes in Africa. It provides fellowships and small grants for postgraduate studies and staff exchanges. It also runs programmes to study higher education management and assure the quality of its member institutions. The website gives summaries of all these activities and links to AAU newsletters and publications. It also offers a list of online resources relevant to higher education in Africa.

A service of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), BINAS monitors global developments in regulatory issues in biotechnology. The website contains up-to-date news information and a searchable database giving details of regulations, field trials and commercialisation of GM crops in different countries.

The Climate Action Network is a global network of over 287 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels. CAN plays an active role in climate treaty negotiations, when it provides live progress reports throught its 'ECO' newsletter.

Conservation International is a US-based group set up in 1987 to work on habitat conservation and community participation in Bolivia, Costa Rica and Mexico. Later that year it also launched the world’s first debt-for-nature swap. Conservation International is a major player in world biodiversity science and politics and has convinced a number of governments to set aside land as protected areas, and was among the first groups to adopt the ‘hotspots’ concept of protecting areas with large numbers of threatened species. Together with the Ford Foundation, CI has set up the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business, which promotes business practices that reduce industry’s ecological footprint and contribute to conservation.

The e-Africa Commission is part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), charged with managing the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Africa. It is responsible for developing and overseeing policies and strategies for the ICT sector. It also runs both the NEPAD e-schools initiative to teach ICT to Africans in primary and secondary education, and the NEPAD ICT infrastructure programme, aiming to connect all African countries to a broadband network.

An authoritative and comprehensive newsletter covering meetings of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification – as well as all other meetings of UN environment and development-related conventions. ENB writers have high-level access to all meetings and to UN officials, which makes ENB a must-read by experts in the field. It is the best way to follow a meeting without attending it in person. The site also contains links to newsletters covering the latest developments in water, climate change, forests and multilateral environmental agreements.