The State of Palestine has signed the Charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) to become a Signatory Member, strengthening cooperation aimed at advancing an inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital economy.
State of Palestine signs DCO Charter, unveils Digital Prosperity Plan
ISLAMABAD, Sep 01 (APP): The State of Palestine has signed the Charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) to become a Signatory Member, strengthening cooperation aimed at advancing an inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital economy.
The Charter was formally handed over by Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the State of Palestine Dr. Abdel-Razzak Natsheh to DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, said a DCO press release received here.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abdel-Razzak Natsheh said joining the DCO would provide Palestine with an important opportunity to deepen international digital cooperation and accelerate its digital transformation.
He said Palestine looked forward to exchanging knowledge and best practices through the organization, strengthening digital resilience and connectivity, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities for its people to participate in and benefit from the digital economy.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya said welcoming Palestine into the organization was not merely an institutional milestone but represented a shared commitment to practical action.
She said Palestinian talent, innovation and entrepreneurship were already reaching global markets and DCO membership would connect that momentum to a multilateral platform aimed at accelerating digital development.
She said the DCO would work with Palestine in areas including digital policy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, skills and entrepreneurship to translate the opportunities identified in the Digital Prosperity Plan into tangible outcomes.
The State of Palestine also unveiled its Digital Prosperity Plan (DPP), a medium- to long-term operational plan for the country’s digital economy, co-developed by the DCO and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy on behalf of the Government of Palestine.
The plan aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, data governance and advanced technology capabilities, accelerate GovTech and digital public services, support innovation and startups, improve access to investment and regional markets, and develop future-ready digital talent.
By 2028, the plan aims to train more than 10,000 people and support over 250 startups and 100 women-led enterprises.
According to the DCO, Palestine’s ICT sector comprises around 400 active establishments and employs more than 13,500 professionals. The sector generates over $500 million in annual value added, contributes around five per cent to GDP and produces approximately 3,000 ICT graduates annually.
The DCO said the Digital Prosperity Plan sought to demonstrate how digital cooperation could contribute to tangible national outcomes and enable the digital economy to serve as an engine for inclusive growth, reconstruction, institutional reform and stronger integration into the global economy.
The State of Palestine’s membership will provide a broader platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening cooperation with DCO member states, contributing to international digital policy discussions and advancing practical solutions for digital resilience and sustainable growth.
The development comes after the DCO Council approved the candidatures of eight new countries for membership. Upon completion of accession procedures, the organization’s membership could increase from 16 to 24 countries, representing around 980 million people.
