The Digital Cooperation Organization has announced that the Syrian Arab Republic officially signed the DCO Charter, becoming a Signatory Member on its path to full state membership. Abdulsalam Haykal, Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, presented the signed document to Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the entity, at its headquarters in Riyadh.
Expansion of the Digital Cooperation Organization
The formal step follows the recent council approval regarding the candidature of Syria alongside seven other countries. Furthermore, this initiative aims to broaden cooperation in digital capabilities, support startups, and encourage technological investment across the region. The entity works directly with public and private sectors to align cross-border digital policies, share technical best practices, and accelerate inclusive digital transformation.
Ms. Deemah AlYahya stated during the meeting that international collaboration creates tangible results across regional markets.
“Syria’s participation in the path of multilateral digital cooperation adds a new voice and perspective to collective efforts to build a more connected and inclusive digital economy. At DCO, we believe the value of membership is measured by its ability to translate cooperation between countries into measurable outcomes.”
Ms. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization
Digital Indicators and Infrastructure
Syria brings an evolving tech base into the multilateral framework, currently supported by more than 200 active technology startups. In addition, the country maintains approximately 19.5 million mobile subscribers and about 9.01 million internet users across its telecom market. Integrating these domestic digital assets into wider collaborative networks aims to foster local entrepreneurship, modernize service delivery, and enhance technical capacity development.
Growth Plans Across Member States
Established in 2020, the Digital Cooperation Organization initially united communications ministries representing 16 member states to drive global digital prosperity. In July 2026, the governing council approved accession procedures that will expand total membership from 16 to 24 countries, covering a combined population of approximately 980 million people.
This expanding international footprint enables member states to exchange regulatory expertise, harmonize cross-border frameworks, and strengthen digital inclusion initiatives across diverse emerging markets.
Future Multilateral Collaboration
Full integration will enable Syrian institutions to participate in joint international programs alongside academic, governmental, and private entities. Consequently, the partnership will link domestic developmental priorities with international solutions to strengthen technical growth, encourage youth participation in technology sectors, and enhance overall digital trade capabilities across the region.
