The World Data Organization was recently established in Beijing. This professional, non-governmental, non-profit international organization voluntarily formed by relevant units and individuals in the global data field currently has over 200 members covering more than 40 countries. The interviewed experts stated that the organization aims to achieve the goal of "bridging the data gap, unleashing the value of data, and prospering the digital economy", providing a useful platform for deepening international cooperation in data and improving global data governance, which is conducive to making the data dividend better benefit people of all countries. Why was the World Data Organization established? Building a fair, just, open and inclusive global data governance framework has become an international consensus. [Observation] The world is accelerating into the era of intelligence, and the role of data as a fundamental resource and innovation engine is becoming increasingly apparent. How important are data resources? Some people compare it to the "fifth major production factor" and "oil in the industrial age", which is becoming a new engine driving global economic growth. At the same time, the production, collection, storage, and cross-border flow of data bring about data risks, data gaps, and so on. How to fully unleash the potential of data, drive faster development of the digital economy, and improve data governance is a common problem faced by all mankind. In this context, the establishment of the World Data Organization is timely. [Comment] Wu Hequan, Director of the National Data Expert Advisory Committee: Currently, the world is accelerating into the era of intelligence, and data growth has become an important symbol. One characteristic of data is high empowerment. On the one hand, it is manifested in its role as a fundamental resource, utilizing data to achieve cross link, cross subject, and cross regional matching and coordinated scheduling of labor, capital, technology, equipment, land, and energy resources, which is the "circulating blood" of the digital economy. On the other hand, data is still an innovation engine, deeply mining the implicit correlations and cross domain value of data, and promoting the assetization and value realization of data elements. Another characteristic is high fluidity. Data circulation helps to break down factor silos, optimize resource allocation, improve reuse efficiency, and achieve universal sharing. Another characteristic is high sensitivity. This characteristic will be amplified in the circulation and utilization process, and the fragmentation of rules will lead to a sharp increase in compliance costs. Data security and global risks will spread, and national data sovereignty and personal privacy protection will be impacted. At present, there is a lack of common technical standards and internationally recognized regulatory rules for data circulation and utilization worldwide, as well as a lack of international cooperation platforms for communication, consultation, and open services, which hinders data from playing its due role. There is an urgent need for a professional international organization to do the relevant work. Hu Jianbo, President of the National Institute of Data Development: With the accelerated arrival of the intelligent era, data, as a new type of production factor, plays a core role in promoting technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and modernization of governance, providing important basic support and strong driving force for industrial transformation and upgrading. As the globalization of the digital economy continues to deepen, cross-border data flows are becoming increasingly normalized. However, global data governance still faces prominent challenges such as insufficient rule coordination, imbalanced development, and diverse security risks. Building a fair, just, open and inclusive global data governance framework has become a universal consensus in the international community. In the context of this era, the National Institute for Data Development, as a professional think tank deeply involved in the field of data, has jointly initiated the establishment of the World Data Organization with partners from the global industry, academia, and digital economy, which can be said to be timely. What are the significant features of the World Data Organization? Adhere to the governance concept of true multilateralism, emphasizing equal participation, inclusive development, and openness and inclusiveness. In recent years, China's digital economy has developed rapidly. This year's government work report summarized the work for 2025 and pointed out that the potential of data elements will be accelerated, and the proportion of added value of core industries in the digital economy to GDP will increase to over 10.5%. The World Data Organization is a professional international organization headquartered in China with a global nature, possessing a unique strategic position and marking a crucial step for China in the field of global data governance. [Comment] Hu Jianbo: The World Data Organization is based on the global data governance and digital economy development pattern, presenting distinct characteristics. One is openness and inclusiveness, adhering to the concept of consultation, co construction and sharing, breaking through regional, institutional and development level limitations. Grasp the high liquidity characteristics of data, promote efficient circulation and use of data through open cooperation, and focus on building an open and inclusive international cooperation ecosystem. The second is to balance synergy, adhere to the unity of development and security, efficiency and fairness, while unleashing the value of data and empowering the digital economy, grasp the highly sensitive characteristics of data, and use collaborative governance to safeguard the bottom line of data security. The third is inclusiveness and sharing, guided by bridging the data gap and focusing on the digital development demands of developing countries. Grasp the highly empowering characteristics of data, promote common development through inclusive sharing, and promote balanced and sustainable development of the global digital economy. Wu Hequan: Firstly, the World Data Organization is positioned as a global, professional, non-governmental, and non-profit international organization, with "professionalism, neutrality, and inclusiveness" as its foundation. It focuses on the entire lifecycle of data production, circulation, use, security, rights verification, and value release, providing an independent and authoritative public service platform for global data governance. Secondly, the World Data Organization adheres to the governance philosophy of true multilateralism, emphasizing equal participation, inclusive development, and openness, with a particular focus on the voice of countries in the South; Gathering multiple forces and coordinating governance among multiple entities such as government, industry, academia, research, and application, forming a pattern of consultation, co construction, and sharing, is conducive to making the data dividend benefit the world. Thirdly, the World Data Organization aims to build a platform for coordinating global data circulation and utilization rules and developing standards, promoting the formation of international consensus and standard recommendations in areas such as data classification and grading, cross-border flow, security assessment, privacy protection, and data rights verification; Provide compliance guidelines and mutual recognition mechanisms, promote a balance between data security and development, reduce compliance costs for multinational enterprises, and improve global data circulation efficiency. Wang Jian, former director of the Institute of International Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences: The establishment of the World Data Organization headquarters in China demonstrates the international community's full recognition of China's digital economy development strength, governance philosophy, and open cooperation attitude. China's transition from a participant in rules to a co builder of rules is conducive to promoting global data governance towards collaborative governance. The scale of China's digital economy is large, the industrial chain is complete, and the digital infrastructure is complete, providing a solid foundation to support the efficient operation of international organizations. China has always adhered to the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint construction and sharing, advocating for the secure and orderly flow of data, opposing data barriers, and proposing important initiatives such as the Global Data Security Initiative and the Global Cross border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, which are highly in line with the purpose of the World Data Organization. The establishment of the World Data Organization is conducive to enhancing the voice of developing countries, including China, in data governance and providing an equal channel for developing countries to participate in rule making; Fill in the gaps in development, assist developing countries in enhancing their data governance and independent development capabilities through technology transfer, infrastructure support, and governance experience sharing; Promote the establishment of fair and reasonable governance rules to assist developing countries in fighting for equal rights and interests in cross-border data flow, security, and value distribution. How can the World Data Organization better play its role? Based on the positioning of a multilateral cooperation platform, continuously enhance its influence in the field of global data governance. [Observation] Promoting efficient circulation and use of data through open cooperation, promoting common development through inclusive sharing, and safeguarding the bottom line of data security through collaborative governance - At the founding conference of the World Data Organization, China's three suggestions resonated. Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48th Group in the UK, a member unit of the World Data Organization, believes that data knows no borders, and China is facing the problem and seeking solutions to make the development of the digital economy more inclusive. [Comment] Hu Jianbo: The World Data Organization will position itself as a multilateral collaboration platform and continuously enhance its international influence and attractiveness in the field of global data governance. One is to deepen collaborative innovation in scientific research. Gather global intellectual resources and top scientific research forces, closely follow the forefront direction of data governance, carry out strategic, forward-looking, and systematic research exploration, accelerate the construction of a data governance system paradigm that consolidates global consensus, combines international applicability and leadership. The second is to build a diverse ecosystem of partners. Continuously improve multilateral cooperation mechanisms, smooth and normalized communication channels, focus on creating a broad, pragmatic, efficient, open and inclusive international exchange and cooperation platform, and extensively involve high-quality global partners in organizing various cooperation affairs. The third is to empower the cultivation of global digital talents. We will carry out specialized and systematic digital talent cultivation and training work globally, with a focus on increasing support for the construction of digital talents in developing countries, striving to bridge the global digital development gap, and assisting in the balanced and inclusive development of digital technology. The fourth is to promote mutual learning and sharing of governance experience. Actively sharing China's mature practices and successful experiences in data governance system construction and high-quality development of digital industries, empowering developing countries to explore digital development paths that are in line with their own resource endowments and national conditions. The fifth is to promote cross-border exchanges and cooperation. Organize member units to carry out multi-level and wide-ranging international exchanges and discussions, deepen practical cross-border cooperation, improve the rule coordination mechanism, and continuously promote the standardized, orderly, safe and healthy development of cross-border data flow. Wu Hequan: Firstly, it is necessary to adhere to the value positioning of "true multilateralism+development empowerment", continuously improve member services, expand the number of members, enhance member participation and activity, ensure equal participation and discourse rights for small and medium-sized members, and form a unique attraction through organizational cohesion. Secondly, we need to establish a scientific, transparent, and democratic governance structure, improve the governance system of the General Assembly, Council, Secretariat, and Supervisory Board, clarify responsibilities, implement consensus, openness, transparency, and independent supervision, and ensure the fair and efficient operation of the organization. Thirdly, based on talent, we recruit outstanding management talents from around the world to form a professional work team. At the same time, we establish an expert think tank network consisting of well-known technology, legal, data governance experts, entrepreneurs, and policy makers to provide intellectual support. Fourth, collaborate with global enterprises to quickly develop technical standards for trustworthy data circulation, data ownership, data security, AI data governance, etc., focusing on the pain points of "fragmented rules and high compliance costs", and quickly building benchmark projects; Build a global data trading, technology cooperation, and project docking platform, extract excellent practices into standards, guidelines, and toolkits, and promote them globally. Fifth, strengthen international cooperation and global synergy, establish deep cooperation relationships with the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and other regional organizations, establish cooperation mechanisms with the European Union and other regional institutions, promote the alignment of regional rules with global standards, and carry out pilot projects for cross-border data flow and mutual recognition under frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism. (Looking into the New Era)