Background
Originally proposed in 2019 and aligned with the United Nations' Open Science movement, co-building a global Open Science Cloud seeks to establish a cross-continental federated research environment for global collaboration and open science. This vision is grounded in harmonized policies, interoperable protocols, transparent services, and sustainable mechanisms.
To enhance connectivity and interoperability among open science research clouds, platforms, and initiatives worldwide, a five-year international pilot project called the “Global Open Science Cloud” (GOSC Initiative) was launched in early 2021, with seed funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Supported by CODATA and CNIC, CAS, the GOSC International Programme Office (GOSC IPO) was established to coordinate joint efforts and connect researchers across regions and disciplines through proactive science communication and capacity building.
Through years of efforts, GOSC’s footprint has expanded regionally and internationally with the launch of the GOSC SDG-13 workshop in Bangkok, GOSC sessions at the 2022 & 2023 International Data Week in South Korea and Austria, GOSC training series in Mongolia and Kenya, GOSC Workshops in Amsterdam, GOSC Pan-Africa virtual series and International Training Workshop Series in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019. The success of our flagship events, the International Symposium on Open Science Clouds (ISOSC 2023) has also showcased GOSC's influence on a global scale.
GOSC also connects stakeholders across regions and disciplines for data-intensive research through pilot cloud federation projects (i.e., A federation of cloud resources beyond Europe; Yunkun-enabled China-Africa Cloud Federation Testbed). In early 2022, a prototype testbed (https://goscloud.net) was established to demonstrate interconnected and interoperable open-science research through virtual community collaboration. Building on these achievements, GOSC IPO has produced several open-access publications, including white papers (Global Open Science Cloud Landscape; Global Open Science Cloud: Vision and Initial Successes), annual report, flyer, and meeting briefing (Briefing of the GOSC SDG-13 International Workshop).
GOSC in the AI Era: Building Future-Ready Open Science Infrastructures
GOSC is now entering a new era shaped by AI-driven open science models, positioning itself to address major global scientific and societal challenges, particularly those outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The key priority is to develop resilient, open, and inclusive e-infrastructures that align with global research and digital ecosystems. These infrastructures must be robust against diverse open science challenges and capable of tackling complex real-world issues, especially in SDG research and decision-making.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2024–2033 as the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), presenting a critical opportunity to harness science for sustainable development. Endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), GOSC will partner with the IDSSD Digital Sustainable Development Goals Programme (DSP) to fully unleash the potential of digital technologies and data-driven approaches for evidence-informed SDG solutions.
To advance this vision, GOSC will continue to invest in capacity-building by co-developing enhanced regional nodes with international partners. These nodes will serve as decentralized, peer-to-peer innovation hubs, facilitating the testing, validation, and scaling of open science solutions tailored to local and regional SDG priorities. Leveraging the GOSC Testbed—a collaborative platform for resource sharing and knowledge integration—each node will showcase how interoperable intelligent infrastructures can bridge the gap between scientific discovery and sustainable development action. Ultimately, it will empower diverse stakeholders by fostering an ecosystem where open data, digital tools, and collaborative research converge to address global sustainability challenges effectively.
Following the success of ISOSC 2023, the upcoming ISOSC 2025 will be a critical moment to review GOSC’s progress and chart the path forward. This year’s symposium will bring together GOSC stakeholders to discuss implementation strategies, explore new opportunities, and design work plans, strengthening the vision of an interconnected global research ecosystem in the era of digital intelligence.
Objectives of ISOSC 2025
Transforming Open Science Clouds in the AI Era:
Explore the evolving role of Open Science Clouds (OSCs) in the AI era, focusing on emerging opportunities, key challenges, and governance frameworks. Highlight how AI can drive advancements in open science, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Advancing the GOSC Node Initiative:
Launch GOSC Nodes as decentralized hubs for open science. Present recommended technology stacks, management frameworks, and operational models, supported by pilot project examples. Establish criteria for scaling nodes from local to global contexts and propose measurable indicators to evaluate their impact on SDG-related research and solutions.
Showcasing SDG Use Cases and Best Practices:
Present case studies and data-driven success stories demonstrating how open science approaches have effectively addressed SDG challenges. Share best practices, standard operating procedures, and lessons learned, offering a practical blueprint for future projects.
Strengthening Global Collaboration in Support of IDSSD DSP
Foster dialogue and collaboration among governments, research institutions, technology providers, and international organizations to enhance interoperability and coordination across open science infrastructures. Unify stakeholder efforts around a shared mission to support the IDSSD and DSP initiatives.
Conference Information
Time: September 2-4, 2025
Venue: Suzhou, Nanjing University
Theme: Co-developing Open, Resilient, and Intelligible Research E-infrastructures for Future Open Science and SDGs
Max participation: Approx. 65 persons.
Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Convenor:
GOSC International Programme Office
International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), Suzhou Center
Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA)
Local organizer:
China Science and Technology Cloud (CSTCloud), Computer Network Information Center of CAS (CNIC, CAS)
Institute of Space Earth Sciences, School of Frontier Sciences, Nanjing University
More details coming soon!
