Rio+20 must launch SDGs to guide countries through complex development challenges, argues Colombian ministry official Paula Caballero Gómez.

Conflicts over shared water resources could be mitigated through science-based environmental cooperation, argue Saleem Ali and Pamela Griffin.

Current models of innovation ignore small-scale technology — institutions must ensure it's a key part of the agenda, says Tony Marjoram.

Countries in the region need an organised, concerted effort to strengthen scientific input into decision-making, urges Crispin Maslog.

The Muslim world and donors should use nongovernmental networks to nurture the dormant seeds of entrepreneurship, says Athar Osama.

India should establish a Young Academy to promote research-based solutions to development challenges, says Raghunath Mashelkar.

Pakistan’s universities need to have academic freedom to excel, rather than churn out fake research papers, says Pervez Hoodbhoy.

More must be done to prevent damage of ocean data buoys that costs money, vital data — and lives, say Sidney Thurston and M. Ravichandran.

Improving access to information technology can help communities assess their own vulnerability and boost local planning, says John Waugh.

Africa lags behind other developing regions in local collaboration — and in building its own scientific capacity, says Linda Nordling.

Deep-rooted philosophies discourage data sharing and specialised research services, hampering research quality, says Peng Gong.

Open innovation is key to the success of iHub and can change the working culture of any community of innovators, says Linda Kamau.

Rio+20 should set up a scientific cooperation mechanism drawing on capabilities in both North and South, say Gisbert Glaser and Alice Abreu.

The developing world is not well served by traditional research publishing, but can break new ground with open access, argues Leslie Chan.

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan discusses how global cooperation on science can benefit a knowledge-hungry world.

The Islamic World Academy of Sciences has been challenged to build bridges. The hardest may be between disciplines, says Athar Osama.

Few science centres offer hands-on experience for young people in Africa. Support is needed for an expansion plan, says Graham Durant.

Indian science is bureaucratic and needs to keep up with the demands of liberalisation, says M. Vijayan.

'Boundary organisations' offer a space away from politics for scientists to engage government officials with their research, says Scott Drimie.

The East Africa famine calls into question the wisdom of investing in early warning systems without improving take-up, writes Linda Nordling.