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

Business models that pair up cheap solar technologies with cell-phone services can provide the poor with renewable energy, says Carl Pope.

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

India's IT sector offers solutions for local problems — but entrepreneurs need help getting innovations to market, says Vineeta Dixit.

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

Much progress has been made in genomics research, says Stephen Baker, but the impact on public health is limited in the developing world.

Nuclear power is no magic solution, argues Pervez Hoodbhoy — it's not safe, or cheap, and it leads to weapons programmes.

Nuclear power can benefit developing countries but requires long-term planning and an educated workforce, says Michael J. Mangala.

To see the research they fund in action, donors should work with good local governance, not informal networks, writes Justin O. Parkhurst.

Ambitious plans for a 'desert development corridor' in Egypt could provide a concrete example of the social value of science, says Athar Osama.

Critics looking for more from the first African Innovation Outlook should realise it is a solid base on which to work, says Linda Nordling.

Egypt's 'science city' will not build a science culture without its people empowered by academic experience abroad, argues Austin Dacey.

The success of Latin American countries is held back by underinvestment in science, says development policy expert Francisco Sagasti.

A new southern African climate plan is impressive, but needs more funding if it is to plug the continent's data gap, writes Linda Nordling.

Young researchers in the developing world must get the support they need to help their countries alleviate poverty, argues Romain Murenzi.

The Islamic world needs new mechanisms that enable leaders to interact informally and share scientific knowledge, argues Athar Osama.

Few causes are more worthy of funding than vaccines, says Priya Shetty, and the developing world relies on GAVI getting the billions it needs.

Prizes for innovation must be used carefully to ensure that poor people in developing countries are the real winners, says Matthew Harsh.

The funding stream for partnerships between the pharmaceutical and public sectors cannot be allowed to dry up, says Priya Shetty.