4th Annual Forum for Open Research 2025

Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), brought together thought leaders, researchers, and advocates advancing Open Science across the Middle East and North Africa.The event served as a key platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and strategies to promote openness and collaboration in research.In his presentation titled "Capacity Building and Localisation of Persistent Identifiers: The Africa PID Alliance's Digital Object Identifier Container (DOCID) Model for Empowering Open Knowledge Communities," Mr. Omino shared insights on how Africa is advancing digital infrastructure through locally driven innovation and collaboration.He highlighted how the Africa PID Alliance is developing the DOCID model-a locally governed system designed to assign, manage, and sustain persistent identifiers (PIDs) for diverse research and knowledge outputs, including indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.This model strengthens digital sovereignty and ensures that African research outputs are visible, accessible, and globally connected.The discussion underscored the importance of contextualised capacity building, where local expertise, infrastructure, and governance play central roles in shaping the future of open research and knowledge management across the continent.The recording of this session is now available, offering valuable perspectives on how regional collaboration and innovation can drive sustainable Open Science practices in Africa and beyond.