Dubai, UAE — Sept. 2026 — Lebanon has signed the charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization, becoming a “signatory state” in a move that advances the country’s path toward full membership and opens a new phase of cooperation to support its digital economy priorities.
Lebanon’s Minister of the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shehadi, signed the charter and formally handed it over to DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya during a ceremony held at the organization’s headquarters.
Alongside the signing, Lebanon and the DCO announced the launch of the Digital Prosperity Plan for Lebanon, a framework designed to translate national digital priorities into practical initiatives and measurable outcomes.
The plan aims to deepen cooperation with DCO member states and partners across digital policy, infrastructure and connectivity, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.
“The signing of the DCO charter represents a strategic step in Lebanon’s path toward building a more competitive digital economy that is open to regional and global opportunities,” Shehadi said.
He added that through the partnership with the DCO and the Digital Prosperity Plan, Lebanon aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and AI, build national capacity, support startups and entrepreneurs, and attract quality investment that positions Lebanese talent as a driver of growth, innovation, and new opportunities for the economy and society.
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For her part, AlYahya welcomed Lebanon’s signing of the charter, noting the strength of the country’s tech sector and its universities, which continue to produce skilled researchers in the technical field.
The Digital Prosperity Plan was developed jointly by Lebanon and the DCO as a partnership framework to advance the country’s digital transformation priorities, coordinating action across policy, infrastructure, AI and emerging technologies, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, drawing on the DCO’s expertise and international partnerships to help Lebanon achieve measurable results.
Lebanon’s digital economy already has a solid foundation to build on: internet penetration reached about 91% in 2024, and the country is home to roughly 550 companies operating in the information and communications technology sector, alongside a strong base of technical, entrepreneurial, and creative talent.
The move comes after the DCO’s Council approved the accession of eight new countries as full members, a step that will expand the organization’s membership from 16 to 24 countries once the process is complete, representing a combined population of around 980 million people once fully realized.
