The ICSU WDS concept aims at a transition from existing stand-alone WDCs and individual Services to a common globally interoperable distributed data system that incorporates emerging technologies and new scientific data activities. The new system will build on the potential offered by advanced interconnections between data management components for disciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific data applications. The WDS will enjoy a broader disciplinary and geographic base than previous ICSU bodies and will strive to become a worldwide ‘community of excellence’ for scientific data. To this end, WDS will work closely with ICSU’s Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) and with the new ICSU Strategic Coordinating Committee for Information and Data (SCCID). In addition, a WDS Scientific Committee (WDS-SC) has been appointed by ICSU to implement and administer the activities of the WDS. ; Supported by IOC for IODE. ; Document available in English. ; Unpublished