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Pakistan secures a major diplomatic milestone in the tech sector next year. The country officially assumes the presidency of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) Council in February 2026. The multilateral digital bloc announced this development on Monday.
The ceremonial handover takes place during the DCO’s 5th General Assembly. The State of Kuwait currently holds the presidency and will pass the torch to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the 2026 term.
Shaping the Global Digital Agenda
The handover occurs in Kuwait on February 4–5. This two-day gathering represents the DCO’s most significant annual moment. It convenes the full digital ecosystem. Attendees include member state ministers, policymakers, CEOs, and innovators from over 60 countries.
More than 100 organisations and partners will participate. Consequently, the assembly serves as a primary platform for collaboration. Stakeholders will review past achievements and launch initiatives aligned with the 2025–2028 Four-Year Agenda.
Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, called the event a “defining moment for the global digital community”.
Focus on AI & Infrastructure
The outgoing chair, Kuwait, emphasised the need for modernising economic tools. Omar Saud Al-Omar, Minister of State for Communication Affairs of Kuwait, highlighted the rapid transformations in the global economy.
Al-Omar stated:
Hosting the 5th General Assembly of the DCO and the International Digital Cooperation Forum reflects the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and enhancing collective efforts to keep pace with the rapid transformations shaping the global economy…
He specifically noted the importance of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
Furthermore, Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to digital integration. The bloc aims to build advanced digital infrastructure and strengthen knowledge exchange. These efforts enable countries to use technology as a driver for economic and social development.
Role of Pakistan as a Founding Member
Pakistan holds a strong track record within the organisation. It is one of the five founding members that launched the DCO in November 2020, alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
Earlier in 2025, Pakistan became the first country to host the DCO’s Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum. That event successfully attracted global leaders and secured significant investment commitments. Now, the presidency marks the next step in Pakistan’s leadership within the global digital body.
