A European delegation from the Research Data Alliance (RDA) visited the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) on 23 October 2013. The Research Data Alliance, founded in August 2012, is an international collaboration to build global exchange systems for research data. It provides structured discussion fora and organizes working and interest groups to develop methods and best practices for data management and interoperability. This delegation is led by the Chairman of RDA/Europe, Professor Leif Laaksonen and RDA TAB member, Prof. Peter Wittenburg.

Prof. WANG Shaoqiang, the Assistant Director of the IGSNRR, opened the session with a welcome message on behalf of the Institute. Dr. ZHANG Ming, from the Division on External Cooperation gave a brief introduction of IGSNRR. Dr. FENG Min and Dr. GUO Xuebin. They presented updates on research progress and achievements in three data centers, in particular the Resource and Environment Data Center, the Information Sharing Center for Earth Systems Sciences and the Center for Chinese Ecosystem Research Network.

Visiting guests provided introductions on the management framework of RDA, the European data-based project framework, European Data Infrastructure (EUDAT), the plan of scientific research and innovation, as well as Horizon 2020.

A discussion session followed the presentations where participants elaborated on their research similarities and differences in data sharing, registration and management. Contributors involved showed strong wishes for advancements in cooperation in related areas.