Published on 18 December, 2025

The DCO’s 2nd International Digital Cooperation Forum to take place in Kuwait to advance Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI

  • With ZainTECH as a strategic partner, global leaders from 60 countries will convene 4-5 February 2026 to strengthen global cooperation on the future of AI and the digital economy
  • Forum to underscore Kuwait’s growing prominence on the global digital map

Kuwait City, Kuwait; 18 December, 2025 – The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) today announced that the 2nd International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF) held in strategic partnership with ZainTECH, will take place in the State of Kuwait on 4 – 5 February 2026, convening ministers, policy leaders, CEOs, tech pioneers, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries to strengthen global cooperation on the future of AI and the digital economy.

The IDCF serves as an annual multi-stakeholder global platform to foster connections, showcase innovation, and drive action at a time when artificial intelligence and digital technologies are reshaping economic growth, governance, and social inclusion.

Held alongside the DCO’s 5th General Assembly, the second edition of the IDCF will convene under the theme “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI,” reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring artificial intelligence delivers equitable, scalable, and human-centric outcomes.

With a flagship partnership agreed with ZainTECH, a leading MEA-based ICT digital solutions provider, the IDCF aims to explore actionable solutions to the most pressing issues shaping the global digital agenda, across six thematic pillars:

  • Digital prosperity and inclusive growth, enabling cross-border trade and commerce.
  • Trust, safety, and responsible technology, including AI ethics, security, and online integrity.
  • Infrastructure for a borderless future, exploring semiconductor sovereignty and interoperability.
  • Skills, jobs, and capital addressing workforce transitions in the AI era.
  • Inclusive access and digital equity, ensuring access and affordability across genders, communities, and economies.
  • Global tech governance cooperation.

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization said, “The International Digital Cooperation Forum reflects our firm belief that digital prosperity can only be achieved through deep and meaningful collaboration. As technology accelerates change across economies and societies, governments cannot shape effective digital policies in isolation. The private sector is a central stakeholder in the digital economy and a primary driver of innovation, investment, and scalable solutions.”

AlYahya added, “At the DCO, we strongly believe that involving industry leaders in policy dialogue is essential to building frameworks that are practical, future-ready, and trusted. Partnerships with innovators such as ZainTECH demonstrate how public-private cooperation can ensure that digital transformation remains inclusive, resilient, and focused on delivering real value for people, businesses, and economies worldwide.”

Commenting on the partnership, Bader Al Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, commented, “As a regional and purpose driven TechCo dedicated to driving positive and inclusive change, we firmly believe in championing the power of entrepreneurship and digitalization in this Age of AI. Through this collaboration with the DCO and IDCF, both Zain and ZainTECH are playing pivotal roles in fostering innovation and advancing the region’s socio-economic growth.”

Al Kharafi added, “Hosting this prominent event in Kuwait further underscores the country’s growing prominence on the global digital map. We look forward to working closely with the DCO to strengthen international digital cooperation within Kuwait and across the wider region.”

The Digital Cooperation Organization calls everyone across the global digital ecosystem to register their interest in attending and participating in the 2nd International Digital Cooperation Forum, and to explore partnership opportunities through the official forum website: https://idcf.dco.org/.

For media enquiries, please contact media@DCO.org