The General Assembly and International Digital Cooperation Forum will convene global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and stakeholders in Kuwait on February 4–5, 2026, marking the Digital Cooperation Organization’s most significant gathering of the year. The two-day event is set to play a defining role in shaping priorities for global digital cooperation amid accelerating technological change and growing concerns around governance, inclusion, and trust in the digital economy.

Positioned as a central platform for dialogue and action, the forum will serve as a moment for the DCO to consolidate its leadership role, showcase progress across its initiatives, and announce new partnerships and policy directions. With the digital economy increasingly influencing economic growth, social inclusion, and geopolitical dynamics, the assembly is expected to focus on translating shared ambitions into coordinated action.

A major theme running through the discussions is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the widening gap between technological development and regulatory frameworks. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of collective stewardship over AI, pointing to upcoming UN initiatives focused on AI science and global governance. He reaffirmed the importance of cooperation with organisations such as the DCO to develop shared standards and safeguards that ensure emerging technologies serve humanity as a whole.

DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al Yahya echoed these concerns, warning that AI is evolving faster than governance systems can respond. She highlighted the risk that uncoordinated approaches could deepen existing digital divides, particularly for developing economies and underserved communities. Her intervention called for inclusive, multilateral cooperation to ensure that AI becomes a driver of shared digital prosperity rather than a source of inequality.

Member State interventions reinforced these messages, with Kuwait, as the DCO’s 2025 Council President, placing particular emphasis on trust and integrity in digital transformation. Kuwait announced the launch of a DCO-led campaign to combat online misinformation and outlined efforts to strengthen ministerial cooperation on artificial intelligence and content integrity. These initiatives aim to address growing concerns around information reliability and responsible technology use across digital platforms.

Established in 2020 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Digital Cooperation Organization has rapidly emerged as a key multilateral body dedicated to advancing inclusive growth in the digital economy. The DCO brings together 16 Member States spanning the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Europe, representing a combined population of nearly 800 million people and a collective GDP of approximately US$3.5 trillion. Notably, more than 70% of this population is under the age of 35, underscoring the organisation’s focus on youth-driven digital futures.

The DCO’s mandate centres on promoting equitable digital opportunities across governments, businesses, and individuals. Its work prioritises narrowing the digital divide, empowering youth, women, and SMEs, and enabling cross-border data flows. Through collaboration with governments, the private sector, NGOs, and international institutions, the organisation seeks to build resilient digital ecosystems that support sustainable and inclusive global growth.

As global attention turns to Kuwait in February, the General Assembly and International Digital Cooperation Forum is expected to signal how multilateral cooperation can keep pace with technological disruption, while ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are broadly shared.