Third World Quarterly began publication as a journal in 1979 to highlight concerns in the developing countries that constituted the Third World, and was received by over 7,500 policymakers, diplomats, international organisations, academics, university libraries, research institutions and individual subscribers.
The Third World Quarterly was the direct offshoot of the South magazine published by the Third World Foundation, London which was funded by the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). The journal came out at a crucial time, for in 1979 the North-South debate was concerned about recognition of the justice of the demands of the Third World.
The Third World Quarterly continues in publication and is an important legacy of Mr Agha Hasan Abdei, BCCI's Founder and President, to raise the concerns of the developing countries where the poor pay dearly for the self-centered environmental probity and welfare of the rich.