Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan//— The Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) announced that the Republic of Azerbaijan has signed the DCO Charter, becoming a Signatory Member of the Organisation and marking an important step toward full membership.
Representing the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, signed the Charter and formally handed it over to Ms Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO.
The milestone follows the DCO Council’s approval of Azerbaijan’s candidature. Upon completion of accession procedures, the Organisation is expected to grow from 16 to 24 Member States, representing approximately 980 million people.
Azerbaijan’s engagement with DCO creates a bridge between its national digital transformation ambitions and a wider international network of markets, policymakers, investors and innovators. Cooperation can support priority areas including artificial intelligence, digital government, cybersecurity, connectivity, entrepreneurship, investment and the development of trusted digital ecosystems.
H.E. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said: “Azerbaijan is advancing a comprehensive digitalization reform agenda designed to create one of the region’s most attractive environments for developing, scaling, and exporting technology to global markets.
Our long-term approach places particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, cybersecurity, and innovation. We look forward to engaging closely with the DCO through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and international expertise, while contributing actively to its inclusive and multi-stakeholder ecosystem.”
Ms Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, said: “Every lasting union begins with trust, and today Azerbaijan has placed its trust in the DCO. Standing where Europe meets Asia, Azerbaijan brings to our community strong digital foundations and a clear ambition: a globally competitive ICT export economy, with $1 billion in ICT exports by 2030.
We are honoured to help build the pathway to that goal, turning innovation into investment, talent into companies that compete globally, and digital progress into lasting prosperity, working hand in hand with Azerbaijan’s founders, investors and institutions. I am deeply grateful to Minister Nabiyev and the leadership of Azerbaijan for this gesture of confidence.
Behind every charter are people with hopes for their families, their businesses and their communities, and it is for them that we do this work. We look forward to welcoming Azerbaijan as a full Member State, and to shaping the future of the digital economy together, as one family.”
Through its expanding membership, DCO seeks to connect capital with innovation, markets with talent and national digital priorities with opportunities for international cooperation. Azerbaijan’s participation will add a strategically connected economy to this network and broaden opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnerships across regions.
The signing also strengthens the diversity of perspectives represented within DCO as the Organisation works to advance inclusive and sustainable digital growth and support emerging and developing economies in contributing to global discussions on the future of the digital economy.
