Syria signs Digital Cooperation Organization Charter as it advances toward membership

The Syrian Arab Republic has signed the Charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), becoming a Signatory Member and taking a further step towards full membership of the international digital cooperation body.

The signing follows the DCO Council’s recent approval of Syria’s candidature, alongside seven other countries seeking to join the organization. The accession process is expected to create opportunities for broader cooperation in areas including digital capabilities, technology talent, startups, innovation and digital investment.

H.E. Eng. Abdulsalam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of the Syrian Arab Republic, formally handed the signed Charter to Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh.

Expanding Syria’s digital economy

Syria’s digital sector has continued to develop, with more than 200 active technology startups, approximately 19.5 million mobile subscribers and around 9.01 million internet users.

The DCO said the country’s growing technology ecosystem provides opportunities to expand participation in the digital economy while strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation.

Deemah AlYahya said Syria’s participation in multilateral digital cooperation would add a new perspective to efforts to build a more connected and inclusive digital economy.

She added that DCO membership is intended to translate cooperation between countries into practical outcomes through knowledge exchange, partnerships and access to international expertise and solutions.

Opportunities through DCO cooperation

As Syria progresses through the membership process, it will be able to deepen cooperation with DCO Member States and participate in the organization’s initiatives and programmes.

The organization’s network includes governments, private-sector companies, international organizations, academic institutions and civil society groups. This network is expected to provide opportunities for Syria to strengthen digital capabilities, support innovation and promote more inclusive and sustainable digital development.

Areas of potential cooperation include technology development, digital investment, entrepreneurship, skills development and knowledge sharing.

DCO membership could expand to 24 countries

Syria’s accession process follows the DCO Council’s approval of the candidatures of eight new countries for membership.

If all eight countries complete the required accession procedures, the organization’s membership could increase from 16 to 24 countries, representing a combined population of approximately 980 million people.

The expansion would further broaden the DCO’s network and its role in supporting international cooperation around digital transformation and the development of the global digital economy.