DCO adopts Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI as fifth General Assembly closes in Kuwait
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has concluded its fifth General Assembly in Kuwait City with member states adopting the Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI for Global Digital Prosperity and agreeing on steps to advance inclusive, trusted and scalable digital transformation in the AI era.
Convened on 4–5 February 2026 under the presidency of the State of Kuwait, the gathering brought together ministers and representatives of member states, alongside observers, partners and guest countries. Delegations reviewed progress against the DCO’s 4-Year Agenda (2025–2028), took joint decisions on multilateral initiatives and sought to translate shared ambition on AI into delivery.
The Kuwait Declaration recognizes AI’s potential to enhance productivity, competitiveness and public service delivery, while emphasizing ethical governance to address risks related to inequality, bias, privacy and security. It reaffirms the DCO’s mission of enabling “Digital Prosperity for All” under the current agenda.
Member states endorsed policy and delivery frameworks to accelerate trusted digital growth, including the Model Digital Economy Agreement and instruments to enable trusted cross-border data flows.
They noted progress across flagship initiatives spanning digital economy measurement, data sovereignty, startup regulation, digital government solutions, investment facilitation, ethical AI, AI readiness, women-led MSMEs, digital skills, online safety and e-waste cooperation, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and scalable impact.
The assembly confirmed the handover of the DCO Council presidency from the State of Kuwait to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for 2026 and announced that the next General Assembly will take place in Pakistan in 2027.
It was also announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will assume the DCO Council presidency for 2027, alongside the formation of an Executive Committee chaired by Saudi Arabia and comprising the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Djibouti, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Delegates agreed to continue developing the Digital Economy Navigator as an economic intelligence platform to support policy reform, investment prioritization and cross-border cooperation. They endorsed action to strengthen trusted digital foundations, including progress on online content integrity and the launch of the DCO Campaign for Combating Online Misinformation.
Support for startups, investment and AI readiness will advance through the STRIDE ecosystem, the Digital FDI initiative, AI readiness and ethical governance tools, and the WE‑Elevate initiative.
Member states reaffirmed commitments to skills development, online safety and sustainability, endorsing the next phase of the Skills Universe Initiative, renewing efforts to protect children and youth online, advancing e‑waste management cooperation and strengthening global outreach and multilateral partnerships, including across the United Nations system and other multilateral organizations, while deepening South–South and triangular cooperation.
H.E. Omar Saud Al‑Omar, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology Affairs and Acting Minister of Information and Culture, said Kuwait’s presidency saw digital cooperation move from dialogue to delivery, advancing responsible AI governance, strengthening institutional trust and enabling tangible digital growth.
With the Kuwait Declaration adopted and a slate of initiatives endorsed, member states signaled that implementation will center on trusted data flows, AI readiness, skills and online safety, alongside continued development of the Digital Economy Navigator ahead of leadership transitions and the 2027 gathering in Pakistan.