The Lebanese Government, represented by H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, Minister of Displaced Persons and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, signed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Charter at a ceremony held at the organization’s headquarters in Riyadh. Dr. Shehadeh officially handed the signed Charter to H.E. Dima Al Yahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, making Lebanon a signatory member as a key step toward completing its full membership. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ali Karanouh, Ambassador of Lebanon to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Rabih El-Amine, President of the Lebanese Executives Council.

The signing was accompanied by the launch of the “Lebanon Digital Prosperity Plan,” a partnership framework jointly developed by both sides to translate national digital priorities into practical initiatives and measurable outcomes across digital policies, infrastructure and connectivity, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.

This cooperation builds on a strong foundation. Internet penetration in Lebanon reached approximately 91% in 2024, while the country is home to around 550 companies operating in the information and communications technology sector, alongside a broad pool of technical, entrepreneurial, and creative talent.

Lebanon joins the organization as one of eight countries whose candidacies were approved by the DCO Council last August. Once the accession procedures are completed, the organization’s membership will increase from 16 to 24 countries, representing approximately 980 million people, with the organization headquartered in Riyadh.

In her remarks, DCO Secretary-General Dima Al Yahya highlighted what Lebanon brings to the organization: a technology sector that has continued to operate under the most challenging circumstances, universities that continue to graduate researchers, and a Lebanese diaspora present in major global markets. She noted that membership will place these capabilities within a broader framework encompassing the markets, regulatory frameworks, and investors of DCO member states.

Lebanon’s path toward membership reached a pivotal stage at the “Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon” conference, organized by the Lebanese Executives Council in Beirut in June 2025. During the event, H.E. President Joseph Aoun announced, before an audience of diaspora experts, that Lebanon would submit its application to join the organization.

Rabih El-Amine, President of the Lebanese Executives Council, described the occasion as “a historic day for Lebanon,” marking the culmination of a national effort led by the government and supported by the diaspora. He emphasized the role of digitalization in Lebanon’s recovery and development, noting that it relies on skills and talent—an asset Lebanon has never lost.

He added that the Council and Minister Shehadeh had agreed on specific areas where the Council would contribute its network and members’ expertise to support the Ministry’s programs, including experts supporting the membership process, Lebanese diaspora talent available when needed, and Gulf invest.