The Digital Cooperation Organization concluded its official participation at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh after securing new international memberships, expanding multilateral alliances, and introducing bilateral technology initiatives. During the technology conference, the State of Palestine signed the organization’s charter to officially become a full Signatory Member. Representatives also unveiled the comprehensive Digital Prosperity Plan 2026–2028, which was jointly created to strengthen local digital infrastructure and accelerate national readiness for artificial intelligence adoption across member nations.
Expansion of Digital Cooperation Organization Membership
The accession follows an earlier formal decision by the organization’s council to approve eight candidate countries for accession. Once all formal ratification and administrative procedures finish, official member state representation will expand from 16 to 24 countries. This expansion extends the organization’s collective footprint to cover roughly 980 million citizens globally. Furthermore, the Republic of Tajikistan is completing steps to enter as an Associate Member under its National Development Strategy through 2030.
Ministerial Dialogues and Content Governance
Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya led a high-level ministerial discussion titled Governing Growth, which examined human-centered economic policies alongside the cultivation of AI-ready workforce skills for the digital economy. Meanwhile, media executives and technology industry leaders convened for a multi-stakeholder roundtable at headquarters. The dialogue focused on critical digital ecosystem challenges, specifically addressing digital trust, content integrity, and the governance of synthetic media.
Strategic Alliances Across Cloud and Open Computing
The Digital Cooperation Organization coordinated with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and semiconductor firm AMD to introduce an open computing initiative. Software engineers and developers attended an associated DevDay workshop featuring open-source tools, technical resources, and practical training. In addition, delegates held bilateral meetings with representatives from the Digital Government Authority and ITL Estonia regarding cross-border data governance and secure digital frameworks.
Startup Engagements and Innovation Financing
Through the organization’s dedicated STRIDE initiative, 30 technology startups representing 11 member nations engaged directly with institutional investors at the event. These business founders participated in targeted matchmaking sessions alongside strategic partners such as Elm Company, ITL, and Tools & Solutions. The World Bank also co-hosted a dedicated forum on financing digital innovation to support sustainable job creation across member states.
