There is almost no part of life these days that escapes the rapid change brought about by digital technologies. Whilst this is a boom for some, the digital pie is not always shared equally and there is a need to ensure everyone can benefit from its advances.
Luckily, innovators around the world are finding that they can use many of the new technologies to compete with the giants in Silicon Valley, and to help people in all kinds of everyday situations, with all kinds of needs. Whilst there is plenty of recognition for the main players, it’s often the innovations that connect people to each other, to the services they use and to the technologies they can harness to create real change in their lives that we should be celebrating.
The Digital Prosperity Awards is a new global celebration of digital excellence that helps bring prosperity for all, from the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), a global multilateral body currently formed of 13 countries that account for a combined population of more than half a billion people. The DCO aims to enable digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy.
Structured around three distinct pillars – Digital Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Empowering Society – the Digital Prosperity Awards have risen to the fore under the guidance of the DCO. With an earnest mission to foster international collaboration and cultivate digital-driven economic growth, the DCO stands as a beacon of progress across borders.
Beyond the technicalities, these awards embody a collective celebration of humanity’s boundless potential. They honor the unsung heroes, the disruptors, and the visionaries who leverage technology to uplift nations’ development trajectories. It is a nod to the digital ecosystem’s pivotal role in shaping our world – a realm where innovation is the currency, and prosperity is the destination.
“The launch of the Digital Prosperity Awards is a significant milestone in recognizing outstanding digital contributions of the organizations that enable prosperity for all,” declared Ms. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, capturing the essence of this ground-breaking endeavor. “We are looking forward to identifying the best digital innovators from the DCO’s Member States and worldwide that benefit humankind.”
With an expert panel comprising impartial global leaders, innovators, and technical wizards, the evaluation process reflects a meticulous pursuit of excellence. Every entry stands a chance to shine, showcasing initiatives that tackle challenges at local, regional, and global scales across a spectrum of economic sectors. This is a celebration of digital virtuosity that knows no bounds.
At its heart, these awards signify more than mere accolades. They are a testament to the power of cooperation, of shared vision, and of a collective drive toward a digitally prosperous future. It is a call to adopt best practices, to pave the way for sustainable digital economic advancement, and to lay down the cornerstones of a world where innovation thrives, and shared prosperity reigns.
The categories span a tapestry of achievements, reflecting a diverse spectrum of contributions. In each of the five categories, a dual celebration beckons – one for the public sector and another for the private sector or civil society, each representing the DCO Member States. Beyond the honors, these awards forge connections, nurturing collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, each a vital cog in the machinery of progress.
But these awards are not only a celebration; they are a testament to the Digital Cooperation Organization’s leadership in the global digital landscape. Anchored by the Member States; Bahrain, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia, the DCO stands as a trailblazer, shaping the contours of a digital renaissance.
As we venture into this exciting era, the stage is set for the pioneers of innovation to take their place. The Digital Prosperity Awards beckon them, not merely as recipients of recognition, but as torchbearers of progress. It is a call for digital creators, the enablers of prosperity, and the architects of our collective future. The path to digital excellence is illuminated, and the journey is nothing short of remarkable.
To learn more about these transformative awards and to enter a submission, visit the official Digital Prosperity Awards website at www.DigitalProsperityAwards.com. It is an opportunity to be part of a narrative that is reshaping the world, one innovation at a time.
Secretary-General Biography
Deemah AlYahya is a digital innovation and transformation leader and a longstanding champion of digital inclusion, particularly for women, young people and entrepreneurs.
She is the first Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), An inter-governmental organization established in 2020 to work towards a world in which every country, business and person has a fair opportunity to prosper in the global digital economy. She works directly with heads of state, government ministers and digital economy leaders to promote the inclusive development of the digital economy, focusing on global initiatives with real-world impact.
Secretary-General AlYahya has spent nearly 20 years building tech communities in the United States and across the Middle East, acting as a catalyst for innovation and improving the environment for digital entrepreneurs and developers. More than 2.5 million people have benefitted from the ecosystems she has built to distribute the digital economy’s advantages more widely.
A trailblazer for Saudi women in tech, Secretary-General AlYahya began her career as a developer but quickly demonstrated her ability to build public sector centers of innovation from the ground up, among them Saudi Arabia’s National Digital Transformation Unit and the Innovation wing of the MiSK Foundation.
On the private sector side, she has served as Chief Innovation Evangelist at Microsoft, responsible for expanding the developer ecosystem and in empowering youth, women, and independent software vendors by providing the technology, skills and tools they needed to evolve from job seekers to job creators.
She holds a BA in Computer Science and Information Systems from King Saud University and has attended senior executive programs with Harvard Business School and the INSEAD business school.
