Manama, Bahrain – The Digital Co-operation Organisation (DCO) concluded its 3rd General Assembly in Bahrain, launching new initiatives to address the digital divide and promote sustainable, inclusive growth of the global digital economy.
Member States reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral, multi stakeholder, and multi-sectorial co-operation to bridge the digital divide and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The DCO announced the launch of three groundbreaking initiatives designed to harness the power of technology for good.
These initiatives address critical challenges and opportunities in the digital landscape, focusing on responsible AI development, secure data storage, and online content integrity.
DCO GenAI Centre of Excellence is a network of state-of-the-art facilities equipped with advanced systems to support responsible development and application of Artificial Intelligence.
Data Embassy Initiative is secure data storage network beyond national borders, ensuring data safety and sovereignty while fostering a unified digital environment.
Online Content Integrity Initiative addresses misinformation on social media and streaming platforms while respecting cultural diversity.
Bangladesh, Qatar, and Greece joined the DCO, expanding its reach to cover a population of 800 million and a GDP of USD 3.5 trillion.
H.E. Mohamed bin Thamir Al Kaabi, DCO Chairperson and Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain said that The DCO is committed to driving progress and innovation in the digital world for everyone.
“We believe that international cooperation is key to addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable development”, he added.
He also highlighted that during the Kingdom of Bahrain’s presidency of the third general assembly of the organization, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the State of Qatar and the Hellenic Republic (Greece) joined, and the Kingdom of Bahrain actively participated in various activities and initiatives of the Digital Co-operation Organization. One of the most important initiatives is the Digital Prosperity Awards, which the organization created to encourage co-operation and facilitate innovation and digital transformation for member states to participate in. The award includes the themes of digital innovation, digital transformation, and community empowerment.
Demaah Al Yahya, DCO Secretary-General also said: “Today more than ever, we need cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure that digital progress is inclusive and sustainable.”
She pointed out that the DCO stands as a beacon of hope, bringing together governments, private sector, and civil society to bridge the digital divide and empower the marginalized.
In a video intervention during the general assembly, H.E. KONO Taro, the Minister for Digital Transformation in Japan, expressed Japan’s interest in joining activities of the DCO and building a cooperation framework to share expertise, knowledge, and experience for digital transformation.
The DCO is a global intergovernmental organization established to enable digital prosperity for all by accelerating inclusive growth of the digital economy. It brings together ministries of communications and information technology from 16 countries, focusing on empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs to benefit from the digital revolution.
The DCO focuses on empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs, benefiting from the accelerating power of the digital economy, leveraging the accelerative power of the digital economy, and leapfrogging with innovation to drive economic growth and increase social prosperity. The DCO’s vision is to work towards a world in which every nation, business and person has a fair opportunity to prosper in the digital economy.
The next DCO General Assembly will be held in February 2025 in Jordan.
