R&D funds levied on business must build organisations that offer short-term benefits through a clear strategy, says Athar Osama.

South Sudan's prosperity depends on more public universities serving more students — and focussing on S&T, not humanities, says John A. Akec.

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

English may be the language of science, but students learn better and contribute more when taught in their local tongue, says Giovanni Tapang.

Some Muslim countries' powerful financial incentives to make quick progress in research could backfire, cautions Athar Osama.

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

The proposed UN World Environment Organisation is badly needed to give poor countries a strong voice in green policy, says Zakri Abdul Hamid.

Arab Spring revolutionaries turning to governance must adopt knowledge and innovation as barometers for progress, says Athar Osama.

The scientific community should create new intergovernmental organisations that promote innovative science in Africa, says Calestous Juma.

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.

Angola has the money, connections and political will to be a force in African science. But will it tackle inequality, asks Linda Nordling.

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

Pragmatism must trump profit when African leaders commit to a green development agenda, argues Linda Nordling.

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

Health systems in developing nations aren't ready for the diseases that accompany ageing, writes Priya Shetty.

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

Several collaborations between researchers and indigenous communties are underway, but more needs to be done, says Henry P. Huntington.

Desertec, an ambitious solar power project in the Middle East and Africa, should be more transparent and participatory, argues Athar Osama.

Online tools reveal a lot about world science — except location. 'Geotags' can fill a knowledge gap and throw up surprises, says Nigel Pitman.