Global open-access initiatives agree to work together

Open-access publishing initiatives from around the world have agreed to collaborate, despite their differences, towards achieving “universal, unrestricted, and immediate open access to scholarly information”.

A joint São Paulo Statement on Open Access was published on 1 May by representatives of five open-access initiatives, including the Europe-led Plan S. The other four signatories are the African Open Science Platform for linking African projects; the Amelica initiative for Latin America and the global south; OA2020, a global initiative led by the Max Planck Digital Library; and SciELO, an electronic library spanning south and central America.

The initiatives agreed to “pursue points of alignment” and ways to cooperate towards their shared objective, which they agreed could be reached through a variety of approaches. They are seeking dialogue with researchers, funders, institutions, governments and the public to help them achieve their aims.