Open and sustainable science, technology and innovation (ST&I) contributes to strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive global economic growth, as well as the implementation of 2030 Agenda, which serves the well-being of all mankind. In order to promote global cooperation on ST&I, and work towards an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for global science and technology development, and advance the sound development of global open science, the African Union, Brazil, China and South Africa put forward the following initiative: 

 

Stay committed to open cooperation. All stakeholders including governments, scientific communities, enterprises and non-governmental organizations should uphold the cooperation principle of mutual benefit, as well as the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, in line with the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. We support the G20 Strategy to promote open innovation cooperation, and encourage G20 to carry out more exchanges and cooperation on open science. We support the free flow of ST&I personnel and resources around the world. 

 

Uphold just and fairness. Different stakeholders’ equal participation in open science and fair treatment should be guaranteed. More opportunities should be offered to the underrepresented groups to build up their capacities for effective participation in open science. 

 

Promote universal benefits and inclusiveness. Scientific knowledge should be publicly available for the benefit of all. Scientific practices should be diverse, inclusive and sustainable, and should ensure all knowledge producers and consumers have equitable, easy access to scientific knowledge. In the same vein, it will be more relevant to include indigenous knowledge. We should strengthen scientific and technological co-construction with and technology transfer to developing countries, strengthening capacity-building on science and technology for the Global South. 

 

Focus on actions. Governments should increase investment in open science, create a favorable policy and investment environment for open science, promote joint building of and open access to major research infrastructures, foster a culture of open science, build up human resources, and explore paths to open science suited to their national or regional conditions. We will deepen the integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation.