3rd Annual Technology Diplomacy Award: A Conversation with H.E. Deemah AlYahya
From The Montgomery Summit · 2026
Deemah AlYahya•Founding Secretary-General, Digital Cooperation Organization
Executive Summary
Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East poses a severe threat to critical digital infrastructure, particularly the 17 submarine cable systems in the Red Sea, risking a "digital crisis" with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), led by Deemah AlYahya, is a rapidly growing international body (16 member states, 10 more joining) pioneering a new, agile model of multilateralism to foster equitable growth in the digital economy.
"Tech Diplomacy" is presented as an essential new discipline for navigating the intersection of technology and foreign policy, requiring faster, more practical cooperation than traditional government treaties allow.
Solving the digital divide requires moving beyond connectivity to address adoption challenges, as illustrated by Rwanda, which has 99% connectivity but only 13% active online adoption due to affordability issues.
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Concerns Raised
The physical vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure (submarine cables, data centers) in conflict zones.
The potential for a regional conflict to trigger a global "digital crisis" with severe humanitarian impact.
The persistent digital divide, where high connectivity does not automatically translate to high adoption or economic prosperity.
The slow pace of traditional multilateralism is ill-suited for the rapid evolution of technology.
Opportunities Identified
The DCO's agile, results-oriented model of multilateral cooperation can accelerate digital economic growth for member nations.
Connecting countries with complementary strengths to solve specific digital adoption challenges (e.g., using Pakistan's low-cost device solutions in Rwanda).
The growing influence of the DCO, with 10 additional countries in the process of joining, creates a significant bloc for digital cooperation.
Developing practical, ethical AI toolkits to guide innovation and policy in emerging economies.