GCC Secretary-General Highlights Importance Of Ties With Digital Cooperation Organization

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General, Jasem Albudaiwi, emphasised the importance of the GCC's relationship with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). He noted that this partnership is crucial for advancing telecommunications and digital transformation. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in 2021 between the GCC General Secretariat and the DCO to foster collaboration and share expertise in developing the digital economy.

Albudaiwi highlighted that this cooperation has led to significant achievements, including creating regulatory frameworks for telecommunications and IT. These efforts have provided technical and legal consultations that support innovation and digital transformation. The secretary-general made these remarks during a meeting in Kuwait with the Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications and the Ministerial Committee for Digital Government, which included DCO participation.

In December 2024, the GCC General Secretariat hosted the 4th Diplomatic Connect event of the DCO. This event attracted ministers, ambassadors from GCC and DCO member states, and over 120 global digital economy leaders. It served as a platform for exchanging ideas on international digital cooperation's future. Albudaiwi stated that nine roundtable sessions for Digital Space Accelerators (DSA) were conducted in 2023 and 2024.

These sessions involved around 10 experts and policymakers from GCC countries. They focused on addressing challenges and proposing solutions to promote a thriving digital economy. In August 2025, a joint dialogue session between the GCC and DCO was held to discuss roundtable outcomes. More than 80 participants from GCC countries and regional organisations attended this session.

The executive program for cooperation between the GCC General Secretariat and DCO was implemented in August this year. This program aims to enhance expertise and develop tools, mechanisms, and reports to improve work efficiency in strengthening member states' digital economies. Albudaiwi noted that these initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to build knowledge and foster collaboration between both organisations.

The meeting in Kuwait was chaired by Omar Saud Al Omar, Kuwaiti Minister of State for Communications Affairs. Members of both ministerial committees attended alongside DCO representatives. Albudaiwi expressed satisfaction with the progress made through this partnership, noting its role in creating a legislative environment conducive to innovation.

The collaboration has also facilitated technical studies contributing to a supportive regulatory landscape for digital transformation. The secretary-general reiterated that these efforts aim to enable societies within member states to benefit from promising opportunities in the digital economy.

With inputs from SPA