Deemah Al-Yahya, the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), praised Iraq’s ongoing investment in human capital as a key driver for the growth and expansion of its digital economy. Al-Yahya, who heads the multilateral organization, held discussions with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, regarding Iraq’s digital transformation strategy and the development of its artificial intelligence and digital business sectors.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed Iraq’s approach to digital transformation, with a focus on building a skilled workforce equipped to support both the private and public sectors in driving economic growth. Although Iraq is not yet a member of the DCO, Prime Minister Al-Sudani expressed the country’s eagerness to collaborate with the organization to address its workforce needs, particularly in the tech sector.
Al-Yahya acknowledged Iraq’s progress in investing in human capital and fostering the digital skills necessary for a thriving digital economy. She emphasized that such investments are vital for driving innovation and economic expansion in a rapidly digitalizing world.
In recent years, Iraq has worked to develop a strategy for digital transformation, aiming to support various sectors and stimulate economic growth. The country hosted its first Digital Space Iraq Forum earlier this month, which focused on utilizing advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to build a comprehensive digital economy.
Since its founding in November 2020, the DCO has been a leading force in curating policies and initiatives to support the digital economy in several nations. Currently, 16 countries are members of the DCO, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, and Oman, with a collective GDP of $3.5 trillion. The DCO also has 39 observer partner organizations, serving a market of nearly 800 million people, 70% of whom are under the age of 35.
