Second International Digital Cooperation Forum opens with call for action on inclusive digital growth
Date: 2026-02-04
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
second International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF) has opened with a strong
call for collaboration, trust and collective action as global leaders,
policymakers and partners convened to advance inclusive digital prosperity in
the age of artificial intelligence.
The
opening ceremony emphasized a clear shift from digital strategy to
implementation, underscoring the shared responsibility of governments, industry
players and innovators to ensure that digital transformation delivers
broad-based economic and social value. Participants highlighted the need for
practical cooperation frameworks that translate policy commitments into
measurable outcomes for citizens and economies.
The
forum coincides with the convening of the fifth General Assembly of the Digital
Cooperation Organization (DCO), which is taking place in the State of Kuwait.
The assembly marks a significant moment for DCO Member States and partners to
align on shared priorities, strengthen multilateral cooperation and shape the
future of the global digital economy in an era increasingly defined by
AI-driven innovation.
As
part of the forum’s programme, a session titled “From AI Ambition to National
Capability: Building Compute, Capital, and Cooperation for Economic
Transformation,” organized by 500 Global, examined how countries can convert AI
aspirations into scalable national capabilities. The session featured
contributions from Courtney Powell, Chief Operating Officer and Managing
Partner at 500 Global, Kate Kallot, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Amini and a TIME100 Most Influential figure in AI, and Alex Wong, Senior
Advisor for Strategic Engagement and Initiatives at the Office of the
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union.
The
discussion focused on the importance of coordinated investment, robust digital
infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration in enabling nations to harness AI
for sustainable economic transformation.
