Enhancing Open Research Infrastructure in the Arab Region: Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Access to Persistent Identifiers

DataCite is committed to supporting open research infrastructure and expanding access to our Persistent Identifier (PID) services globally through our Global Access Program (GAP). In regions like the Arab world, several challenges impede PID adoption, including a lack of awareness about the benefits of integrating PIDs in research workflows, technical gaps, and inadequate repository infrastructure. Financial constraints also hinder progress in some communities. DataCite is building a platform of collaboration and partnerships with leading organizations in GAP regions. One example is the collaboration with the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), which aims to raise awareness about open science practices and enhance the role of regional Research and Education Networks (RENs) across the Arab world. Together, ASREN and DataCite are raising awareness in the region about persistent identifiers through various outreach activities and open research infrastructure, exploring ways to provide institutions in the region with better access to DataCite's PID infrastructure. This collaboration fosters a more integrated and efficient research environment. These collaborative efforts are crucial for building a robust community of practice in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.This session was delivered at the NISO Plus 2024 Global/Online Conference, held virtually on September 17-18, 2024, by the National Information Standards Organization.