Latest news with #DigitalCooperationOrganization
LBCI
03-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
From Smart Government conference, PM Salam calls digital transformation essential for reform and trust-building
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the closing session of the 'Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference, held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun at Phoenicia Hotel. He emphasized that 'digital transformation is not a luxury for Lebanon, but a necessity. It is a reform that directly serves citizens—saving time, reducing corruption, and improving service quality. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth: without digital governance, there can be no investment that meets our ambitions. Without transparency, there can be no trust, and without modernization, there are no opportunities worthy of our youth to build their future in their homeland.' He pointed out that 'to succeed, full coordination between ministries and public administrations is essential. Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world. We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon to the knowledge and production networks of the 21st century.' He announced that 'Lebanon intends to join the Digital Cooperation Organization and has begun taking the necessary legal steps to do so, reaffirming its commitment to genuine integration into the regional and international digital economy.' He added: 'Shortly, we aim to launch digital projects that are financially viable and self-sustaining. We also seek to build a unified and centralized governmental digital infrastructure that ensures coordination among different administrations and enhances efficiency and good governance.' He stressed that 'digital transformation is a gateway to reforming state institutions and restoring citizens' trust in them. Let this conference serve as a genuine starting point, not just a ceremonial event. We have much work ahead, but we also have the tools and partners. Let's begin now.'
Arab News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanon embraces digital transformation as key to reform and recovery
BEIRUT: Lebanon has pledged to pursue comprehensive digital transformation, with President Joseph Aoun framing it as the nation's best hope to tackle corruption, moderne governance, and engage its skilled diaspora in rebuilding efforts. Speaking at the 'Smart Government, Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference in Beirut on June 3, Aoun described the initiative as a 'sovereign decision to build a better future.' The event, organized by the Lebanese Executives Council, aimed to connect Lebanon's global talent pool with efforts to revitalize both public and private sectors. The conference's core themes included smart governance, public sector reform, and private sector collaboration, all driven by digital innovation. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon must abandon outdated and corrupt administrative structures in favor of efficient, transparent systems. 'Digital transformation is not a technical choice. Digitalization is not just a government project; it is a national project.' He also announced Lebanon's application to join the Digital Cooperation Organization, a global body founded in 2020 to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy. Aoun criticized systemic corruption that forces citizens to navigate bureaucracy through bribery or political favors. He highlighted the need for a government that serves all Lebanese equally, free from sectarian or partisan influences. 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and to be eligible for foreign investments. This goal is an absolute necessity, indispensable and unavoidable,' Aoun said. 'The time has come for them (the diaspora) to achieve it for their homeland and in their homeland.' The day-long conference brought together ministers, private sector leaders, and diaspora experts for panel discussions on digitizing Lebanon's institutions. Topics included the creation of a national digital ID, policy harmonization, and leveraging technology to reconstruct public services. In an interview with Arab News, LEC President Rabih El-Amine highlighted the importance of engaging the Lebanese diaspora. 'We know by fact that diaspora is willing to help, but they don't have the medium to offer this help, and we know by fact that the government needs this help, but they don't know how to reach the diaspora,' he said. El-Amine stressed that despite weak governance, Lebanon's private sector and diaspora have helped sustain the country. However, implementing modern laws and digital systems is now critical. He called the digital ID system a foundational step toward enabling services like passport renewals and license issuance. 'This is probably the starting point. But I think the biggest challenge for us is how we can make the government and the parliament work together in order to issue modern laws for this system to take place,' he added. Hajar El-Haddaoui, director general of the DCO, expressed strong confidence in Lebanon's digital potential, citing the country's talent pool and expansive diaspora. 'We trust that Lebanon does have all the ingredients to succeed during this digital economy transformation,' she told Arab News. She said the DCO's support will focus on investment, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building, including the Digital Economy Navigator program, which helps countries assess and close gaps in digital readiness. El-Haddaoui underscored the importance of aligned policies, strong infrastructure, and openness to international cooperation. 'Any digital economy or digital transformation needs harmonization of policies. That's really important and critical. Working on a regulation and standard of regulation is really one of the pillars of successful digital transformation,' she said. Fadi Makki, Lebanon's minister of state for administrative development affairs, also spoke at the conference, outlining key reforms to upgrade the country's administrative structures. 'We're far behind in digital readiness. We're trying to catch up through digital transformation, skilling, and reskilling programs,' he said. Makki explained that Lebanon lacks planning and performance monitoring units that are standard in functional governments. He proposed modernizing human resources and encouraging the private sector to deliver services, while the government ensures oversight. 'We don't want to compete with them (the private sector), but at the same time, we want to create opportunities for them while ensuring we provide the necessary oversight like any government,' he said. 'One of the missing functions in government is planning and performance monitoring. We don't have that. So, part of our work is creating these basic units, not just centrally but eventually in every ministry. Without them, we're building on weak foundations,' he added. The event also featured remarks from Lebanese American University's Chaouki Abdallah and panels with Minister of Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadi, along with global figures like Jad Bitar of the Boston Consulting Group. In closing, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked all participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the government's resolve. 'Digital transformation in Lebanon is not a luxury but a necessity and a reform,' he said. 'It directly serves the citizens, reduces corruption, and enhances the quality of life. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth.' Salam called for full inter-ministerial coordination, asserting, 'Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world or on its margins.' He concluded: 'We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon with the chains of knowledge and production in the 21st century.' As Lebanon continues to navigate a complex political and economic crisis, the conference marked a clear call for reform. The message from both domestic and diaspora leaders was unambiguous: digital transformation is not only possible—it is imperative.
Kuwait Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait in talks to chair committee to combat digital misinformation
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) council representatives meet in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait is in discussions to lead a multilateral committee to combat digital disinformation, aiming to unify Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) member states' efforts in countering fake news and safeguarding digital content integrity, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said following a key meeting of the DCO. DCO is a global multilateral body established in 2020 and headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It brings together governments, the private sector, international organizations, NGOs and civil society to enable more inclusive digital transformation and the growth of digital industries. Members include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar and DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya attend a DCO Council meeting chaired by Kuwait. Wednesday's meeting is the first of its kind since Kuwait assumed the rotating presidency of the DCO Council after the fourth General Assembly held in Jordan last February. 'This exceptional meeting represents a milestone in establishing coordinated efforts between member states to overcome digital challenges and promote integrity in digital content,' said Al-Omar. Al-Omar added that the adoption of Kuwait as the host country for the next DCO General Assembly underscores its leadership role in advancing regional and international digital cooperation. DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya praised Kuwait's initiative to host the extraordinary meeting, saying it reflects Kuwait's serious commitment to joint digital action and its leadership in strengthening the organization's institutional structure. 'This meeting is a strategic step in advancing our shared digital agenda and expanding the organization's impact in supporting emerging digital economies,' Al-Yahya said. During her visit to Kuwait, Al-Yahya, who is also Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, and her accompanying delegation met with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, at Bayan Palace. The meeting was attended by Minister Al-Omar, and Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan, Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil. — Agencies
Zawya
11-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment meets with the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization
Opportunities for collaboration on financial transformation and fintech innovation. Building a strong ecosystem for digital investments in Kuwait. Kuwait: Her Excellency, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Engineer Noora Sulaiman Al-Fassam, chaired a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Deemah bint Yahya Al-Yahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). Held as part of the Secretary-General's official visit to Kuwait, the meeting focused on exploring opportunities to advance the digital economy and enhance financial inclusion. The session brought together officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Digital Cooperation Organization to discuss the organization's four-year vision for accelerating digital transformation, driving financial innovation, and strengthening strategic cooperation among member states to boost digital startup growth. 'Kuwait and the Digital Cooperation Organization share a unified vision to enhance digital inclusion and build an innovation-driven economy. As a founding member of the organization, Kuwait remains committed to advancing digital transformation in line with its Vision 2035, which prioritizes a digital economy and modernized public services to drive economic diversification and job creation. Today's meeting reaffirms our commitment to positioning Kuwait as a regional hub for digital investments and technological development,' said Her Excellency Al-Fassam. Her Excellency further underscored the importance of sustained cooperation, particularly during Kuwait's presidency of the fifth session of the Digital Cooperation Organization. She emphasized that this strategic partnership would support financial innovation and foster an attractive investment climate for entrepreneurs and digital startups across DCO member countries. The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish dedicated working groups aimed at advancing shared objectives in digital transformation, financial innovation, and startup growth. These working groups will facilitate ongoing collaboration, streamline initiatives, and ensure alignment with the organization's four-year vision, reinforcing Kuwait's commitment to driving progress in the digital economy.
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Digital Investment Milestone: Pakistan Becomes First to Host DCO's DFDI Forum
ISLAMABAD, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), in partnership with the Government of Pakistan, today celebrated the successful conclusion of the inaugural Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum 2025 (DFDI) held in Islamabad. The two-day Forum, hosted 29-30 April 2025, served as a strategic platform, convening 700 delegates spanning Heads of State, ministers, global investors, policy makers and tech leaders from DCO Member States and beyond, as they explored ways to redefine digital investment frameworks and unlock new investment opportunities. A centerpiece of the Forum was the launch of the Digital FDI Pakistan Insight Report, which outlined the pioneering blueprint pursued by Pakistan in its digital development. Building on the Digital FDI Initiative, the report recognizes Pakistan as the first nation to implement the initiative across its four pillars and identified six strategic priority actions to attract sustained digital investment. Commenting on the conclusion of DFDI, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif said, "Pakistan is proud to lead the way in digital transformation, and the success of DFDI is a testament to our commitment to fostering a thriving, investment-friendly digitally enabled economy through a multistakeholder approach. With the support of DCO, fellow DCO Member States and partners, we are creating a blueprint for sustainable development that will benefit not only Pakistan and our digital ecosystem, but all nations undergoing a digital transformation". At DFDI, Prime Minister Sharif also recognized the leadership of Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya and the DCO for their role in advancing Pakistan's digital foreign investment ecosystem, which has already attracted over $700 million in digital economy inflows. The event saw participation from more than 45 countries, with over 40 international companies and startups showcasing their products. Around 35 ministers and official delegations from various countries attended, along with over 30 global speakers and more than 50 CEOs from leading IT firms. "On behalf of the Digital Cooperation Organization, I wish to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their stellar efforts in enabling the success of the first DFDI," said Deemah AlYahya. "This forum has demonstrated the transformative power of investment in bridging digital divides and accelerating sustainable growth," she added, The DCO remains committed to building a global investment environment where all nations can harness digital innovation to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. Pakistan is one of five founding members of the DCO, which was established in November 2020 on the sidelines of the G20 in Riyadh. With its 2026 presidency on the horizon, the country is strategically positioning itself as a leader in the digital economy, poised to drive global conversations, partnerships, and innovations that will shape the future of digital investment. About the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) The Digital Cooperation Organization is the world's first standalone international intergovernmental organization focusing on the acceleration of the growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. It is a global multilateral organization founded in November 2020 that aims to enable digital prosperity for all. The DCO brings together the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology of its Member States, and is focused on empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs, leveraging the accelerative power of the digital economy, and leapfrogging with innovation to drive economic growth and increase social prosperity. The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) brings together ministries of communications and information technology in 16 countries: the Kingdom of Bahrain, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of The Gambia, the Republic of Ghana, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - collectively representing nearly $3.5 trillion in GDP and a market of nearly 800 million people, more than 70% of whom are under the age of 35. Through cooperation and strategic dialogue, we drive the facilitation of mutually advantageous cross-border legislation. The DCO seeks to establish within its Member States the optimal infrastructure and policies for the rapid creation of inclusive and equitable digital economies within which all people, businesses, and societies can innovate and thrive. The DCO's vision is to work towards a world in which every nation, business, and person has a fair opportunity to prosper in the digital economy. In pursuit of the Member States' common interests, the DCO works collaboratively with governments, the private sector, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society to enable more inclusive digital transformation and the growth of the digital economy. The DCO's key initiatives include programs to enhance cross-border data flows, promote market expansion for SMEs, empower digital entrepreneurs, and advance digital inclusion among women, and the youth, and other underrepresented populations.
