Open Data

Data plays an important role in disaster management, weather forecasting, government policy decisions and to achieve sustainable development goals. Advances in digital technology and observation instruments have led to exponential growth of data.

Data produced is diverse in terms of formats, sequences, tool dependencies and it complicates its management.  UNESCO promotes the effective management of data by adhering to the FAIR Principles: Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability.  Moreover, UNESCO advocates for the openness of research data and government data – it must be open, publicly available for anyone to access, use and share it.

UNESCO supports open data initiatives through advocacy so that open data resources adhere to the highest standards of privacy and are free from biases.  It also builds capacities and provide policy advice so that open data can play a major role to improve the quality of life.  The Landslide Environmental Observatory project, is an example where disaster risk governance is increased and local communities are involved in open data initiatives.

UNESCO is also a founding member of the Open for Good Alliance, which is an initiative to leverage synergies with international, regional and national organizations that are working to stimulate the use of localized data in artificial intelligence systems to address local problems.