A.Context

　　Open Science is a vital engine for the advancement of human civilization and a critical pathway for tackling global challenges and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, open science faces both historic opportunities brought by universal technology access and deeper collaboration as well as global challenges such as policy divergence, uneven infrastructure and digital divide. Strengthened global governance is accordingly essential for the era of Open Science.

　　B.Purpose

　　To implement the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, responding to and supporting the implementation of  the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, and foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory global environment for scientific and technological development, we, the Participants in the Initiative, the African Union, Brazil, China and South Africa, hereby propose the Action Plan for International Cooperation in Open Science calling on all stakeholders to take the following actions in line with the objectives and principles of equality and mutual benefit, respect for diversity, universal access to knowledge, and open collaboration:

　　C.Programme of Work

　　Objective 1. Advancing global governance in Open Science in support of UNESCO and multilateral partnerships

　　1.1    Share ideas, policies and practices in open science

　　1.2    Support the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science to contribute to enhancing the efficiency of Open Science governance

　　1.3    Strengthen the promotion and dynamic monitoring of international Open Science developments

　　1.4    Conduct research on the monitoring and evaluation of Open Science

　　1.5    Support wide participation in international Open Science conferences and other events

　　1.6    Facilitate closer collaboration among regional science, technology and innovation entities to support Open Science and build synergies

　　Objective 2. Deepening global cooperation on the sharing of Open Science data　

　　2.1    Contribute to global Open Science data collaboration and governance frameworks

　　2.2    Promote mechanisms for improving the interconnection and interoperability of Open Science data platforms

　　2.3    Build shared service platforms for researchers worldwide to benefit from global open access

　　2.4    Establish an open, collaborative, and sustainable system for the aggregation, preservation, and sharing of global scientific data

　　2.5    Advance wherever possible the sharing and application of biological and health data among countries of the Global South through applicable ethical data access and benefit sharing practices

　　Objective 3. Developing and sharing research infrastructures and resources

　　3.1    Advance the development and sharing of Open Science infrastructures and services

　　3.2    Promote international cooperation under regional and discipline-specific global science, research and education networks

　　3.3    Open multiple research infrastructures to users worldwide, including large-scale facilities

　　3.4    Work on the joint development of non-commercial scientific-computing facilities and digital public services, as well as trusted data spaces, collaborative scientific-data environments and AI-enabled scientific applications that underpin the transition to Open Science

　　Objective 4. Promoting open circulation of world-class scientific journals  　

　　4.1    Promote global open sharing of high-quality research papers and new formats such as preprints to close the scientific-information divide among countries and regions

　　4.2    Build comprehensive and inclusive publication infrastructures, which will be globally accessible and openly shared with the international community, to connect researchers worldwide and accelerate the dissemination of scientific discoveries

　　Objective 5. Enhancing public understanding of and engagement with Open Science 　

　　5.1    Cultivate an Open Science culture that encourages researchers to share, collaborate and interact, strengthen Open Science capacity-building, and advance social and cultural development in all countries

　　5.2    Organize training sessions, seminars and other forms of activities to raise public understanding, acceptance and participation in Open Science and promote science communication

　　5.3    Strengthen Open Science education for young people, and encourage them to take part in international exchanges and cultural interactions within Open Science frameworks

　　5.4    Develop locally oriented and internationally connected science communication services

　　5.5    Select success stories for global scaling-up and release videos and other didactic materials on Open Science theory and practice, to narrow the gap in scientific literacy among different countries and regions

　　Objective 6. Strengthening capacity-building in developing countries

　　6.1    Step up efforts in investment, infrastructure, talent cultivation and technology transfer to help developing countries build Open Science capacity, and leverage Open Science to support their economic, social and environmental development

　　6.2    Encourage all countries to increase input in Open Science, improve intellectual-property protection and benefit-sharing mechanisms, foster an enabling environment for Open Science investment, and reduce the cost of accessing research outputs for developing countries

　　6.3    Strengthen the cultivation of Open Science talents, empower the human resources of Global South countries through academic exchanges and joint research projects

　　6.4    Provide cross-border training and exchange programmes to boost the Open Science literacy of researchers

　　6.5    Set up technology-transfer mechanisms to facilitate the conversion and application of scientific and technological achievements in support of developing countries 　

　　D.Organisation of Cooperation

　　1.The Action Plan is non-binding and welcomes the contributions of other partners including G20 members, observers, knowledge partners, and other partners who support and endorse the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to collaborate in advancing Open Science through coordinated global actions.

　　2.We must act on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to ensure the equal participation of all stakeholders, including governments, research institutions, enterprises and non-governmental organizations, guarantee the global mobility of innovative personnel and resources, and increase the opportunities of under-represented groups.

　　3.We agree to establish a multi-tiered cooperation mechanism and a permanent exchange platform to ensure dynamic implementation of this Action Plan. This will involve:

　　3.1 Each participating party shall designate its own focal point under the Action Plan, responsible for liaising with domestic and global partners, coordinating resource allocation, implementing dynamic monitoring, and sharing best practices.

　　3.2 The participating parties may hold meetings on a rotating basis to share experience and best practices.

　　3.3 The suggested accession modality is acceding by declaring full acceptance of the existing non-binding text, subject to unanimous consent from all participating parties.