His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the GCC member states have adopted ambitious national strategies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital economy.
He highlighted that these nations have strengthened their global standing through strategic investments and the deployment of advanced technical applications, noting that AI technologies are projected to add approximately $150 billion to the GCC economy, with their annual contribution expected to reach $260 billion by 2030.
These remarks were delivered during His Excellency’s participation in the 5th General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO), held today, Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Kuwait City. The assembly was presided over by His Excellency Omar Saud Al Omar, Minister of State for Communication Affairs in the State of Kuwait and Chairperson of the DCO Council for the 2025 term, and Her Excellency Deemah AlYahya, Secretary General of the DCO. Present in the event were ministers, observers, partners, and experts representing over 60 countries.
At the outset of his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi expressed his profound gratitude to the State of Kuwait for hosting this significant digital event. He commended the efforts of the Kuwaiti Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology and extended his congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on assuming the presidency of the DCO Council for 2026, wishing them success in leading the organisation’s future endeavors.
His Excellency also voiced his appreciation for the DCO under the leadership of Her Excellency AlYahya, praising its tangible achievements in driving digital transformation at both regional and international levels.
"The GCC places high priority on enhancing strategic international partnerships, particularly with the DCO. Since the formalisation of this partnership in 2021, it has served as a pioneering model for cooperation, yielding qualitative results that support the digital transformation journeys of GCC member states," His Excellency stated.
He further explained that this collaboration has resulted in several joint initiatives, including the development of regulatory frameworks for the ICT sector, the provision of technical consultations and studies, as well as the launch of the Women’s Empowerment Framework in ICT and the E-Waste Management Framework. Additionally, the partnership has produced specialised publications highlighting the evolving digital landscape within the GCC.
In his concluding remarks, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi renewed his thanks to the DCO, its member states, and international partners, lauding their collective efforts in building a more prosperous, equitable, and inclusive digital future for all.
