The World Data Organization (WDO) has held its inaugural assembly in Beijing on March 30. The WDO’s mission is to bridge the data divide, unlock data’s value, and power the digital economy. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the new organization, saying that today’s world is rapidly entering an intelligent era, with data’s role as a fundamental resource and an engine of innovation becoming increasingly evident. Xi emphasized that China is committed to upholding the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, as well as to supporting the WDO in playing its role. China will work with all parties to build consensus on data governance rules, promote innovation in digital and intelligent technologies, and facilitate the secure, orderly flow and efficient development and utilization of data in order to serve the healthy development of the global digital economy and ensure that the dividends of data better benefit the people of all countries, he said. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a keynote speech at the meeting. He said that China places great importance on data governance and the development of the digital economy.
Based in Beijing, the WDO is billed as the first international professional body focused on advancing data development and governance practices. During the inaugural meeting, members reviewed and adopted the WDO’s charter and elected its first Council Members and Board of Supervisors. The organization’s inauguration comes as data has become a core economic asset, but regulatory divergence has raised compliance costs and complicated operations for companies globally. A central function of the WDO will be to break down such barriers by fostering industry consensus, proposing standards and best practices, and providing policy references for governments and research institutions, the organization said.
The Organizing Committee of the WDO told China Daily that, as of March 15, the WDO had attracted 233 members, including 70 founding participants, from companies, universities, think tanks, international organizations and financial institutions across 14 industries. Corporate members account for 67% of the total, including multinationals and their China subsidiaries, such as Tesla Shanghai and Intel China, and data-focused companies such as Dun & Bradstreet China. Chinese AI enterprises iFlytek, Zhipu AI, and Moonshot AI, as well as Tencent Cloud, JD and Meituan, were among the corporate members.
