Islamabad, Nov 26 (PTI) Pakistan on Thursday joined the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO), established under the initiative of Saudi Arabia, to promote digital cooperation in various fields, including health, education, science and security.

Pakistan joined the DCO as a founding member. Other countries that have been invited to join as founding members include Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and the UAE.

Also Read | Indian Doctor Cleared of Molestation Charges in Dubai.

“The Organisation was launched at a virtual event today, hosted by H.E. Mr. Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia,” Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) said.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi participated in the event, he said.

Also Read | Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia of Sweden Contract Coronavirus, Swedish Royal Couple Go Into Isolation.

Lauding the far-sighted initiative of the Saudi Minister Al-Swaha, Qureshi noted that at a time when the digital economy is estimated to be worth over USD 11 trillion and is set to expand further in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the creation of DCO would cater to the growing need of international cooperation and collaboration in the digital domain.

The DCO would offer a platform to promote the global digital agenda in science, health, education, commercial, social, agriculture, investment and security sectors.

Digital diplomacy has been a core component of the foreign minister's Public Diplomacy Initiative, said the FO.

It also said that the foreign minister chairs a dedicated Digital Diplomacy working group comprising some of Pakistan's brightest IT experts, to bring innovation and enhance Pakistan's digital diplomacy footprint.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)