A new intergovernmental panel would not be the best way of tackling the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development.

One year after Egypt's revolution, enthusiasm and prospects for science are high — but still need translation into a fully functioning system.

Next year's Rio+20 meeting must put science-based innovation at the heart of the development agenda. But the real battle will be political.

Millennium Science Initiative funding has produced an impressive range of projects in Uganda. The government is wrong to bring it to an end.

Crucial development opportunities may be lost without committed science ministers.

African countries now have a snapshot of their science spending. They should use it to improve policy and address development priorities.

Evaluating science in a knowledge economy needs more than just academic criteria.

Brazil must ensure its support for science becomes long-term commitment, not one restricted to the mandate of a particular government.

Satellites can save lives from natural disasters but developing countries risk missing the opportunity through poor political support.

A majority of Latin American countries suffer from worthy talk but little stable R&D funding. Long-term strategies should be a priority.

Academics have long argued for developing countries to adopt "systems of innovation". Now it looks like politicians have got the message.

An influential lecture on the cultural significance of science remains as relevant today as when it was delivered 50 years ago.

Patents on scientific knowledge may not be as useful — or valuable — as many claim them to be.

Science can help developing countries facing commodity-price and climate turmoil: the biggest challenge is how to ensure it does.

A commitment to development-oriented innovation should be high on the agenda at the upcoming MDG summit in New York.

A new study confirms the valuable role of 'intermediary organisations' in bringing scientific and policy-making communities closer together.

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

Bill and Melinda Gates' forays into aid are to be welcomed, but they can only succeed alongside government involvement.

The world must not miss its second chance to take a radically different approach to energy consumption.

China's efforts to build an innovation-based economy require a less hierarchical approach to organising its research system.