The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has successfully concluded its fifth General Assembly in Kuwait City, marking a pivotal moment in global digital governance. Member States adopted the Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI for Global Digital Prosperity and agreed on comprehensive actions to advance inclusive, trusted, and scalable digital transformation in the AI age.
Convened on February 4-5, 2026, under the Presidency of the State of Kuwait, the General Assembly brought together Ministers and Representatives of Member States, alongside Observers, partners, and guest countries. The gathering focused on reviewing progress against the DCO 4-Year Agenda (2025-2028), taking joint decisions on multilateral initiatives, and translating shared ambition on AI into concrete delivery mechanisms.
Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI
Ministers and representatives reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital transformation. The Declaration recognizes AI’s potential to drive productivity, competitiveness, and public service delivery, while emphasizing the need for ethical governance to address risks related to inequality, bias, privacy, and security. The document reaffirms the Digital Cooperation Organization’s mission of enabling Digital Prosperity for All under its 4-Year Agenda.
Member States endorsed critical policy and delivery frameworks to accelerate trusted digital growth, including the Model Digital Economy Agreement and instruments enabling trusted cross-border data flows. Progress was noted across flagship initiatives covering digital economy measurement, data sovereignty, startup regulation, digital government solutions, investment facilitation, ethical AI, AI readiness, women-led MSMEs, digital skills, online safety, and e-waste cooperation.
Leadership Transition and Executive Committee Formation
During the Assembly, it was announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will assume the Presidency of the DCO Council for 2027. The formation of the Executive Committee was also confirmed, chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and comprising the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Djibouti, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Morocco.
The General Assembly confirmed the handover of the DCO Council Presidency from the State of Kuwait to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for 2026, with the next General Assembly scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2027.
Key Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships
Member States agreed to continue developing the Digital Economy Navigator as an economic intelligence platform supporting policy reform, investment prioritization, and cross-border cooperation. They endorsed action to strengthen trusted digital foundations, including progress on online content integrity and the launch of the DCO Campaign for Combating Online Misinformation.
Support for startups, investment, and AI readiness will advance through the STRIDE ecosystem, Digital FDI initiative, AI readiness tools, ethical governance frameworks, and the WE-Elevate initiative. Member States reaffirmed commitments to skills development, online safety, and sustainability, endorsing the next phase of the Skills Universe Initiative and renewing efforts to protect children and youth online.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, DCO signed three MoUs with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Edraak – Queen Rania Foundation, and TikTok, along with a Letter of Engagement with Arab News.
Statements from Leadership
“Under Kuwait’s Presidency, digital cooperation moved decisively from dialogue to delivery. We advanced responsible AI governance, strengthened institutional trust, and enabled tangible digital growth that is already delivering measurable results across our Member States.”
H.E. Omar Saud Al-Omar, Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology affairs and Acting Minister of Information and Culture of the State of Kuwait
“From Kuwait, DCO Member States made a defining choice about the future of our digital world. We chose cooperation over fragmentation, responsibility over hesitation, and trust over fear. Through the DCO, we are building a digital future where technology serves people, strengthens economies, and delivers digital prosperity for all.”
Ms. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization
“Pakistan is honored to assume the Presidency of the DCO Council at a pivotal moment for the global digital economy. We look forward to working closely with Member States to advance responsible AI, strengthen cross-border digital cooperation, and ensure that digital transformation delivers tangible benefits to everyone.”
H.E. Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
The International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF), held on the sidelines of the General Assembly, convened policymakers, business leaders, and experts in sessions focused on advancing practical cooperation on priority issues shaping the digital economy, including AI and emerging technologies. Member States resolved to make 2026 a year of consolidation and acceleration, advancing responsible AI alongside trusted digital foundations and inclusive skills development.
