A US-based non-profit organisation is organising a global meeting on potential risks and opportunities that nanotechnology presents for the developing countries.
The Meridian Institute had issued a report on January 25 reviewing the ways that nanotechnology could affect developing nations, reported science portal SciDev.net.
The report, which describes the growing interest that developing countries are showing in nanotechnology, is intended to set the scene for an April meeting of stakeholders in Alexandria, Egypt.
The report says Brazil, China, India and South Africa appear keen to become global players, judging from their level of government investments and the number of researchers and research institutes.
"We believe the pieces for the responsible use of nanotechology for development are on the table... There is an urgent need to begin putting them together," it added.
Todd Barker, who is coordinating the project, said it is time for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and ensure that nanotechnology is used responsibly and for the benefit of developing nations.