The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on digital economy development and responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence. This agreement, formalized in New York on September 25, 2026, shows a shared commitment to supporting a digital future that is both innovative and equitable.
The agreement was formalized by UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rania Al-Mashat and DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya. This follows a meeting between the organizations’ leaders on June 23, marking a swift transition from strategic alignment to a formal framework. The rapid progression highlights the urgency and shared vision of both organizations to address digital transformation challenges and opportunities.
Accelerating Digital Transformation in the Arab Region
This partnership aims to support countries in scaling successful approaches and amplifying regional perspectives in global discussions. It combines ESCWA’s regional policy expertise, analytical methodologies, and intergovernmental mechanisms with DCO’s cross-regional reach, policy intelligence, and implementation platforms. Together, they will bridge regional frameworks with practical, country-level implementation, ensuring that strategies are both ambitious and actionable.
Practical Workstreams and Joint Action Plan
The collaboration will initially focus on two key areas: digital economy development and responsible AI readiness. The former includes policy implementation, institutional capacity-building, and investment readiness, while the latter involves diagnostics, policy support, capacity-building, and peer learning. These workstreams are designed to address both the technical and governance aspects of digital transformation, ensuring a holistic approach to development.
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Al-Mashat emphasized that the MoU is just the beginning, accompanied by a joint action plan and a commitment to agree on a concrete calendar of activities for 2027 by year-end. ESCWA and DCO aim to connect regional frameworks with country-level implementation. She stressed that the true measure of success lies in the tangible actions scheduled, not just the declarations made.
AlYahya highlighted the ambitious digital economies of ESCWA member countries and their talent and innovation. As Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria join the DCO, their perspectives will be brought to global discussions on AI governance and the Global Digital Compact review. She noted that these countries’ experiences and evidence-based insights will enrich global dialogues, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping the future of digital and AI governance.
Timely Cooperation Amid Global Discussions
The partnership comes at a key time, as global conversations on digital and AI governance continue to evolve, including the high-level review of the Global Digital Compact during the 82nd session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in New York in May 2027. DCO and ESCWA will work to strengthen readiness, evidence, and policy dialogue, enabling countries to contribute effectively to these discussions. This collaboration ensures that the Arab region and developing economies have a proactive and impactful role in shaping global digital policies.