The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), made up of member states across Africa, Asia and the Gulf Region, has ended 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 concrete actions to promote inclusive, trusted and scalable digital transformation in the emerging age of AI.
The DCO is an international intergovernmental body committed to accelerating the growth of an inclusive and sustainable global digital economy.
Its members include Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Morocco, Djibouti, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Ghana was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and Member of Parliament for Sissala West, Mr Mohammed Adam Sukparu.
However, during a joint press conference on the sidelines of the DCO 5th General Assembly alongside the Kuwait Minister for Communications, the Secretary General of the DCO, Ms Deemah AlYahya, revealed ongoing conversations with Azerbaijan, China, Lebanon, Iraq, Poland, and Palestine in becoming new members.
The Assembly, held from February 4 to 5 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), and to agree on joint actions to advance shared ambitions on AI governance and digital development.
It was on the theme: “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI”.
Delegates reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital economies.
The Kuwait Declaration acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in enhancing productivity, competitiveness and public services, and highlighted the need for robust ethical governance to mitigate risks such as inequality, bias, privacy breaches and security concerns.
Member States endorsed several policy and implementation frameworks aimed at strengthening trusted digital growth, including the Model Digital Economy Agreement and mechanisms to facilitate trusted cross-border data flows.
The Assembly further 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. The newly formed Executive Committee will be chaired by Saudi Arabia, with membership from Ghana, Rwanda, Djibouti, Pakistan, Kuwait and Morocco.
Member States also 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.
