The World Data Organization was formally established in Beijing on Monday and commenced operations following the election of its first governing board, supervisors and senior leadership, the group's preparatory committee said.

The move marked the launch of what organizers describe as the world's first international professional body dedicated specifically to advancing data development and governance.

Headquartered in Beijing, the WDO is structured as a non-governmental, non-profit organization, that seeks to "bridge the data divide, unlock data value and drive digital economic growth".