Pakistan is set to assume the presidency of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Council in February 2026, following the ceremonial handover during the organisation’s Fifth General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Kuwait on February 4–5. The development was confirmed by the DCO in a statement issued on Monday.
The Fifth General Assembly represents the DCO’s most significant annual gathering, bringing together ministers from member states, observers, policymakers, technology leaders, CEOs, innovators, and partners from more than 60 countries. The event will serve as a platform to review progress, define strategic priorities, and launch new initiatives aligned with the DCO’s 2025–2028 Four-Year Agenda.
The presidency will formally transition from the State of Kuwait to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the 2026 term. Pakistan is among the founding members of the DCO, which was launched in 2020 by Saudi Arabia alongside Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, with the aim of fostering inclusive digital growth, promoting international digital cooperation, and expanding access to digital opportunities.
Pakistan has played an active role within the organisation and was the first country to host the DCO’s Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum in 2025, attracting global leaders and investment commitments. The upcoming General Assembly will also be held alongside the International Digital Cooperation Forum, further strengthening multilateral dialogue around digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.
Speaking ahead of the event, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communication Affairs and Chairperson of the DCO Council, Omar Saud Al-Omar, said the assembly reflects the importance of strengthening international cooperation to keep pace with rapid global economic and technological shifts. DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya described the event as a defining moment for the global digital community, with participation expected from more than 100 organisations across public and private sectors
