Towards FAIR and Interoperable Data through Semantics

Although semantic technologies are widely recognized as essential for digital transformation, their adoption in official statistics remains limited. Many existing data and metadata exchange standards — such as SDMX, SIMS (ESS, ESMS, ESQRS), DDI, XBRL, UN/EDIFACT, NIEM, HL7 — are developed within object-oriented frameworks and lack integration with Semantic Web technologies. Classifications and reference systems used in statistics often have no persistent URIs, making it difficult to build sustainable semantic metadata.

Interoperability Basis addresses these challenges through an open, non-profit platform that semantically enables existing standards. The platform supports semantic alignment, enrichment, and publication of models using a knowledge management system, modeling tools, namespace control, and persistent URI infrastructure.

By fostering international collaboration around semantic assets such as code lists and glossaries, the project supports the broader adoption of FAIR principles, scalable integration of Semantic Web technologies into information sharing and linked data dissemination, as well as the seamless use of interoperable data in AI-powered and user-friendly applications.
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We invite partners to join the international, non-profit Interoperability Basis initiative and a shared semantic infrastructure

• International organizations. Can benefit from using a sustainable platform for expressing their standards as semantic assets: transform, enrich and align their structures and semantics; apply tools to convert/develop data schemas, vocabularies, and code lists into RDF/OWL; assign persistent URIs; manage the sections of their standards in the common namespace; maintain these discoverable, reusable, and interoperable assets across domains.
• Governments and public administrations. Can release high-value datasets and classification systems based on semantically transformed, enriched and aligned standards provided by the platform. They can also benefit from sustainable publishing of public data using persistent URIs, semantically enhanced classifications, and interoperable APIs, while also aligning their open data with semantic standards to ensure long-term transparency and cross-border interoperability.
• Enterprises. Can leverage the platform as a foundation for building a corporate semantic core and for managing enterprise metadata in a consistent, standards-based way. This shared semantic infrastructure accelerates information sharing, supports digital transformation, and enables the development of AI applications that rely on high-quality, interoperable data. The platform’s persistent URIs and standardized semantic models help reduce implementation costs for scalable enterprise solutions.
• Academic and research institutions. Can benefit from an open, authoritative interoperability infrastructure that fosters international collaboration across research teams and disciplines. The platform supports joint pilot projects, semantic modeling studies, and contributions to the development and alignment of data standards, enabling researchers to actively participate in shaping the semantic foundations of global data exchange.
• Semantic Web technology developers. Can use the platform’s namespace to build and publish their own semantic assets with persistent URIs. Participation enables integration with real-world data ecosystems, early access to new semantic standards, and visibility within a community working on applied Linked Data solutions.

Together, we can drive the global transition towards FAIR and interoperable data through semantics — fostering the growth of Linked Data and enabling smarter, AI-driven applications powered by clear, reusable, and semantically rich data models.