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

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

Rio+20 is an opportunity to focus on harnessing scientific evidence and good governance to improve the management of water resources.

South–South research collaboration can be a powerful strategy for boosting scientific capacity and achieving common goals. But it should not be embraced uncritically, says Athar Osama.