Bridging the Digital Divide: The Mission of the Digital Cooperation Organization

CBS News

2 days ago

This content was provided by Acumen Media for DCO.
In an era where digital transformation is reshaping economies and societies at an unprecedented pace, the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is addressing a critical global challenge: the digital divide.
While technology continues to drive innovation and improve quality of life, 2.6 billion people—one-third of the world's population—still lack internet access, preventing them from participating in the expanding digital economy. This exclusion reinforces social and economic disparities, making it imperative to foster global collaboration to ensure equitable access to digital opportunities.
Digital technologies underpin nearly every industry, yet millions remain marginalized due to barriers such as affordability, inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy. Without proactive intervention, these disparities will continue to widen, leaving entire communities behind.
As one of the first international organizations dedicated exclusively to the digital economy, the DCO is committed to closing this gap. Founded in 2020 with a vision for a world where every country, business and person has a fair opportunity to prosper in a cross-border and sustainable digital economy, the organization advocates for collaborative solutions, best-practice sharing and the creation of digital opportunities for all. The DCO brings together 16 member states collectively representing more than $3.5 trillion USD in GDP and a population of over 800 million, 70% of whom are under the age of 35. As an observer at the United Nations General Assembly, the DCO amplifies its impact through a multilateral approach, bringing together governments, the private sector and civil society to drive meaningful progress.
At the core of the DCO's mission is the empowerment of underserved groups. By supporting nations in developing agile policies for AI governance, data flows and digital trade, the DCO ensures that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can compete in the global marketplace. Unlike rigid top-down directives, the organization works directly with entrepreneurs and emerging markets to design practical, actionable frameworks that facilitate real economic participation.
A key initiative in this effort is the Digital Economy Navigator, the DCO's flagship tool designed to assess digital economy maturity, identify gaps and provide strategic guidance to governments and businesses. This tool helps nations prioritize development areas, optimize investments and formulate effective policies to drive inclusive growth. By aligning resources and strategies with real-world needs, the DCO ensures that digital transformation benefits those who need it most.
In 2024, the digital economy accounted for 16% of global GDP, highlighting the immense potential for growth. However, digital transformation can be complex, particularly for nations navigating this landscape alone. To address these challenges, the DCO adopted its 4-year Strategic Agenda for Digital Resilience and Prosperity (2025 – 2028) in February 2025, focusing on digital economic resilience and social prosperity.
This agenda is built on four strategic pillars:
The Digital Economy Navigator plays a pivotal role in this strategy, guiding countries to tailor solutions based on their unique challenges and opportunities. For example, the Digital FDI Initiative has already demonstrated success in Pakistan and Rwanda, where customized policies and strategic investments have helped bridge local digital gaps—proving that one-size-fits-all solutions are insufficient.
The DCO's Digital Economy Trends 2025 report is another key resource that provides an in-depth analysis of the evolving digital economy, highlighting its transformative impact on industries and societies. It aims to equip stakeholders with essential data and strategic insights to navigate rapid technological advancements, enabling informed decision making and effective planning for the future.
At its core, the DCO champions global cooperation, recognizing that no nation can navigate the digital future alone. The challenges of climate change, economic resilience, peace and security are inherently global, as are the opportunities presented by digital transformation. By fostering dialogue, knowledge-sharing and strategic partnerships, the DCO prevents redundant efforts, allowing countries to build upon one another's successes. The organization also addresses a key opportunity in terms of the role of digital considerations in the successful delivery of the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a result, the DCO is positioning itself as a trailblazer, guiding the global community toward a digital-first future.
Through innovation, collaboration and forward-thinking policy solutions, the DCO is not merely responding to the digital future, it's actively shaping it, ensuring that no one is left behind.
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