Upon joining the World Data System, new Members must sign an appropriate agreement* with ISC addressing key issues defined by the WDS Scientific Committee (WDS-SC). This agreement is a declaration of the candidate organization's intention to contribute to WDS as a Member.

1. Dependent on the organization's WDS membership category, download the relevant template Letter of Agreement (LoA) in Word format:

   • Regular
   • Network
   • Partner
   • Associate

   Annexes to these LoAs can also be downloaded in PDF format:

   • Annex A – WDS Constitution
   • Annex B – WDS Bylaws
2. Adapt and complete the template LoA as indicated in the guidance to produce a Draft version.
    

3. Electronically send the Draft LoA (in Word format) to the WDS-IPO for validation:

   Email to: IPO[at]worlddatasystem.org

    

4. After approval, send an electronically signed LoA to the WDS-IPO for countersignature (If multiple signatures are applied, the signed LoA must be sent by each signatory to confirm authenticity).

5. The countersigned LoA will be returned to you.

* As stated in the WDS Constitution