Palestine Signs Digital Cooperation Organization Charter at LEAP 2026

New Signatory Member unveils Digital Prosperity Plan targeting digital growth, reconstruction and support for startups

The State of Palestine has signed the Charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), becoming a Signatory Member and strengthening its participation in international efforts to advance digital transformation, connectivity and inclusive digital growth.

The charter was formally handed over by Dr. Abdel-Razzak Natsheh, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the State of Palestine, to Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh.

Natsheh said joining the DCO would provide Palestine with an opportunity to deepen international digital cooperation and accelerate its digital transformation.

He said Palestine would seek to exchange knowledge and best practices, strengthen digital resilience and connectivity, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and expand opportunities for people to participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

AlYahya described Palestine's membership as more than an institutional milestone, saying it represented a commitment to practical cooperation.

She said Palestinian talent, innovation and entrepreneurship were already reaching global markets and that DCO membership would connect these efforts to a multilateral platform aimed at accelerating digital development.

The DCO said cooperation with Palestine would focus on areas including digital policy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital skills and entrepreneurship.

Alongside the signing, Palestine unveiled its Digital Prosperity Plan (DPP), a medium- to long-term operational plan developed jointly by the DCO and Palestine's Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy on behalf of the Palestinian government.

The plan aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve data governance and advanced technology capabilities, accelerate GovTech and digital public services, support innovation and startups, expand access to investment and regional markets, and develop future-ready digital talent.

By 2028, the plan aims to train more than 10,000 people, support more than 250 startups and assist 100 women-led enterprises.

The Palestinian ICT sector currently includes around 400 active establishments and employs more than 13,500 professionals. The sector generates more than USD 500 million in annual value added, contributes approximately 5% of GDP, and produces around 3,000 ICT graduates each year.

The DCO and Palestine said the Digital Prosperity Plan is intended to demonstrate how international digital cooperation can contribute to tangible national outcomes, including inclusive economic growth, reconstruction, institutional reform and stronger integration into the global economy.

Palestine's membership will also provide opportunities to exchange expertise with DCO Member States, participate in international digital policy discussions and develop practical solutions aimed at strengthening digital resilience and sustainable growth.

The development comes after the DCO Council approved the candidatures of eight additional countries to join the organization as Member States. If accession procedures are completed, the move could increase DCO membership from 16 to 24 countries, collectively representing approximately 980 million people.