Nigeria pledges digital cooperation with 15 nations to drive inclusion, innovation, and prosperity at UN high-level dialogue

The pledge was made at the first High-level Dialogue for Digital Cooperation, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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Leaders described the move as urgent, stressing that closer cross-border collaboration is vital to global prosperity and peace.

In a joint statement, the DCO members declared, “We must overcome digital fragmentation and strengthen cooperation across borders to drive resilience, prosperity, and peace.”

The countries involved include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia.

They committed to aligning national strategies with common principles of digital inclusion, responsible innovation, and resilient ecosystems.

The group further pledged to embrace innovative cooperation models such as South-South and Triangular partnerships, describing them as critical to inclusive growth.

They also underlined the importance of tools like the DCO Digital Economy Navigator to track progress, while welcoming the expansion of the UN Group of Friends for Digital Cooperation, co-chaired by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Founded in 2020, the DCO is the first standalone intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable digital economies. With observer status at the UN, it represents over 800 million people, more than 70 per cent of whom are under 35.

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Through its work with governments, private sector partners, and civil society, the body aims to foster digital inclusion, enable cross-border data flows, empower women and youth, and promote entrepreneurship and small businesses.