Kuwait city: The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), composed of member states from Africa, Asia, and the Gulf Region, has concluded its Fifth General Assembly in Kuwait with the adoption of the Kuwait Declaration on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Global Digital Prosperity. The Declaration outlines specific actions to foster inclusive, trusted, and scalable digital transformation in the evolving age of AI.
According to Ghana News Agency, the DCO is an international intergovernmental body focused on accelerating the growth of an inclusive and sustainable global digital economy. Its members include countries such as Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Morocco, Djibouti, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Ghana was represented at the assembly by the Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Mohammed Adam Sukparu.
During a joint press conference on the sidelines of the DCO 5th General Assembly, the Secretary General of the DCO, Ms. Deemah AlYahya, disclosed ongoing discussions with Azerbaijan, China, Lebanon, Iraq, Poland, and Palestine regarding potential membership. The Assembly, held under the Presidency of the State of Kuwait, brought together Ministers and representatives of DCO Member States, observers, partners, and guest countries to review progress on the DCO's Four-Year Agenda (2025-2028). The theme was 'Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI'.
Delegates reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital economies. The Kuwait Declaration recognized the transformative potential of AI to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and public services, while emphasizing the importance of ethical governance to address risks such as inequality, bias, privacy breaches, and security concerns.
Member States endorsed several policy frameworks aimed at strengthening trusted digital growth, including the Model Digital Economy Agreement and mechanisms to facilitate trusted cross-border data flows. The Assembly reviewed progress on key DCO 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 management.
It was announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will assume the Presidency of the DCO Council for 2027, with the newly formed Executive Committee chaired by Saudi Arabia, and including members from Ghana, Rwanda, Djibouti, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Morocco. Member States agreed to advance the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN), a comprehensive economic intelligence platform to guide policy reforms, investment priorities, and cross-border cooperation.
They endorsed coordinated actions to strengthen trusted digital foundations, including efforts to improve online content integrity and the launch of the DCO Campaign for Combating Online Misinformation. Additional initiatives will support startups, investment, and AI readiness through the STRIDE ecosystem, the Digital FDI initiative, and the WE-Elevate programme.
The Assembly renewed commitments to digital skills development, online safety, and environmental sustainability. Delegates endorsed the next phase of the Skills Universe Initiative, renewed efforts to safeguard children and young people online, and advanced cooperation on e-waste management. They also emphasized expanding global partnerships, including with the UN system, multilateral institutions, and through enhanced South-South and triangular cooperation.
The meeting confirmed the handover of the DCO Council Presidency from the State of Kuwait to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for 2026. The next DCO General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2027.