Pakistan takes helm of global digital body as 2026 President

WEB DESK: In a milestone for the country’s digital diplomacy, Pakistan officially assumed the presidency of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) during the 5th General Assembly held here on February 5, 2026.

The ceremonial handover marks the first time Pakistan will lead the 16-nation bloc, a move widely seen as a recognition of Islamabad’s growing influence in the global technology landscape. Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, accepted the leadership mantle from the outgoing chair, the State of Kuwait.

A Vision for “Inclusive Prosperity”

Addressing a summit of high-level delegates and global tech leaders, Minister Khawaja outlined a proactive 2026 agenda centered on the theme of “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI.” He emphasized responsible AI governance by championing ethical frameworks and an open-source spirit to prevent a widening global AI divide, while also proposing the creation of digital trust corridors to enable secure cross-border data management and strengthened cybersecurity cooperation among member states. The agenda further reflects the importance of equitable access through expanded digital education and infrastructure, with particular emphasis on empowering youth and female entrepreneurs, alongside strategic partnerships aimed at leveraging Pakistan’s market potential to attract investment in digital infrastructure and facilitate talent mobility.

Bridging the “AI Divide”

“We believe in an open-source spirit of cooperation,” Khawaja stated during her address. “Our goal is to ensure that the AI divide does not become the new economic divide of our time.”

The Minister emphasised that under Pakistani guidance, the DCO will prioritise “agentic AI” governance and digital skills development, ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution reach underrepresented communities across all 1.7 billion people represented by the member states.

Strategic Context

The DCO, founded in 2020 by Pakistan alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, has rapidly evolved into a USD3.5 trillion economic bloc. Pakistan’s presidency coincides with the launch of the DCO’s 2025–2028 Four-Year Agenda, positioning Islamabad at the center of international discussions on data sovereignty and emerging technology.

The 2026 term is expected to culminate in Pakistan hosting the next General Assembly in 2027, providing a high-profile platform to showcase the “Digital Nation Pakistan” initiative to a global audience of policymakers and CEOs.