PETALING JAYA: The World Data Organization (WDO), a new international body aimed at strengthening global cooperation on data governance and unlocking the economic value of data, held its inaugural assembly yesterday with the theme of jointly building a data cooperation platform and sharing digital development opportunities.
Headquartered in Beijing, the organisation brings together a diverse membership that includes enterprises from across multiple industries, universities, think tanks, international organisations, financial institutions, and other entities involved in the global data sector.
The WDO seeks to address inconsistencies in data policies across countries while promoting industry consensus, standard recommendations and best practices to support governments and research institutions. The initiative also aims to help multinational companies reduce compliance costs when operating across different regulatory environments.
Another key focus of the organisation is deploying data applications in real-world sectors such as healthcare, education and energy to support industrial innovation and project implementation. It also plans to strengthen talent development, particularly in developing regions, to help bridge the global digital divide.
Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the launch with a congratulatory message that highlights the increasingly evident role of data as a fundamental resource and an innovation engine in the intelligent age. He also recognised the WDO as a valuable platform for deepening international cooperation regarding data and improving global data governance.
To express the country’s support of WDO, Xi says China will work with all parties to forge consensus on data governance rules; promote innovation in digital and intelligent technologies; facilitate the secure, orderly flow and efficient development and utilisation of data; serve the healthy development of the global digital economy; and ensure that the dividends of data better benefit people of all countries.
One of the founding members of the WDO is Zetrix AI Bhd, formerly known as MY E.G. Services Bhd, which also sits on its inaugural council as the lead representative for Asean.
Group managing director TS Wong said data has become a critical production factor in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence.
“Data is the new factor of production in a world where AI is omnipresent. Every entity holds valuable data and the WDO plays a pivotal role in enabling this value to be unlocked, thus creating a new source of wealth,” he said.
Zetrix AI, a Malaysian digital services provider with a growing regional presence, has collaborated with leading Chinese entities such as the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, the General Administration of China Customs and Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group.
These partnerships focus on areas such as blockchain infrastructure, cross-border trade facilitation and digital identity verification. Through the government-endorsed Asean-China AI Lab initiative, the company is also working to deepen collaboration between Asean and China in advancing technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and robotics.
The company said this collaborative approach could expand further with plans to help establish a global data marketplace in partnership with a leading exchange, aimed at unlocking the value of data assets worldwide.
