Riyadh, September 8, 2025 – Diplomats, policymakers, and technology leaders gathered in Riyadh for the fifth edition of Diplomatic Connect, co-hosted by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the Embassy of Kuwait. Held under the theme “Rebuilding through technology: A blueprint for digital resilience and peace”, the event underscored the role of digital innovation in sustaining societies amid conflict and crisis.
With more than 122 million people globally displaced, discussions focused on how digital solutions can preserve dignity, restore essential services, and accelerate recovery. Real-world examples included Ukraine’s Diia platform, which has enabled 20 million citizens to access over 100 public services during conflict; Jordan’s blockchain-based mobile wallets delivering transparent aid to 300,000 refugees; UNICEF-backed digital classrooms in Syria; and Rwanda’s digital transformation, which has rebuilt trust and positioned the nation as a rising tech hub.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya emphasized the urgency of “agile, practical multilateralism” and the need for partnerships across governments, tech companies, academia, and civil society to ensure technology reaches vulnerable populations. She framed digital transformation as a chance to “reimagine systems that serve people better than before.”
Keynote speaker Lord Ed Vaizey, former UK Minister for Culture and Digital Economy, stressed that technology cannot prevent wars but can provide resilience, restore services, and empower communities. He highlighted the importance of open data, simplified services, and frameworks that encourage innovation. He also called for investment in digital skills, lifelong learning, and international cooperation to make digital transformation a tool for peace and dignity.
The event, moderated by Arab News Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali, included ambassadors from DCO member states and global partners. With Kuwait holding the DCO presidency this year, Kuwaiti Ambassador Sheikh Subah Nasser Subah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah affirmed his country’s belief in diplomacy and dialogue as foundations for peace, noting Kuwait’s pride in hosting a forum that positions digital resilience at the heart of global recovery strategies.
