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Published : 09 Feb 2026, 09:54 AM
China, Palestine and four other countries have applied for membership in the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), a multilateral body that recently held its fifth General Assembly in Kuwait City.
The other countries are Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Iraq and Poland.
Deemah Al Yahya, secretary general of the DCO, confirmed the membership requests to the press during a press conference on Thursday.
One DCO member state, which currently has 16 members, confirmed that the General Assembly has instructed the organisation’s secretariat to ensure that all membership requests follow official procedures.
The membership of China and the other applicant countries is considered almost certain and will not require approval at another General Assembly, the member state said.
Established in 2020, the DCO has evolved significantly, with a strong private sector presence at its annual General Assembly held from Feb 4 to 5 in Kuwait.
The organisation disclosed details of the new membership requests after the closing session of the assembly, during which the DCO presidency was formally handed over from Kuwait to Pakistan.
Pakistan will lead the organisation for the next year and host the sixth General Assembly in 2027.
Saudi Arabia was named chair of the DCO Executive Council.
DCO Secretary General Deemah said the growing number of countries seeking membership reflects the organisation’s expanding role in shaping the global digital economy.
On the final day of the assembly, Deemah presented the DCO’s 2025 report, urging member states to “turn ambition into action.”
Throughout the assembly, delegates repeatedly stressed that policy alignment alone is no longer sufficient, calling for stronger engagement with the private sector to translate digital strategies into tangible economic outcomes.
Speakers noted that the global digital economy is projected to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030, yet nearly 70 percent of its value is concentrated in just 10 countries, with artificial intelligence readiness remaining highly uneven.
They emphasised that innovation only matters when it creates real opportunities for all, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Member states and industry representatives said current digital regulatory frameworks remain insufficiently inclusive, with high costs among the factors driving widespread digital exclusion.
Discussions also focused on the creation of “digital corridors,” the establishment of “digital embassies,” and the promotion of “digital trade” and “digital societies” to enable trusted cross-border data flows and a smoother transition to the digital economy.
Bangladesh highlighted progress in digital infrastructure, affordable internet access and data governance, stressing that technology must serve people rather than forcing people to adapt to services.
Bahrain said its digital transformation agenda has delivered tangible public benefits, while Kenya acknowledged that greater collaboration among member states is needed despite multiple ongoing initiatives.
Nigeria outlined plans to raise digital literacy to 70 percent by 2027 and expand the use of artificial intelligence in civil services, describing AI as a catalyst for leapfrogging traditional development constraints.
Rwanda emphasised cross-border partnerships and environmental responsibility alongside digital growth, while Syria said cybersecurity remains a core pillar of its digital future.
Several delegations also highlighted the importance of e-waste management frameworks and green digital practices.
The assembly concluded with an announcement that a declaration called the Kuwait Declaration will soon follow after the assembly.
Deemah said the DCO would continue developing practical tools to help countries implement digital policies and frameworks.
“The digital future must be built together,” she said.
The DCO’s current members are Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.
