Shanghai, China – Web Desk: Pakistan has officially joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as a founding member, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar signing the agreement at a ceremony in Shanghai on Thursday .
29 Nations Sign Founding Agreement
Representatives from 29 countries, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Pakistan, signed the agreement establishing WAICO as an independent intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai . The signing ceremony was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and took place on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 .
Pakistan’s Commitment to Equitable AI Governance
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international cooperation in artificial intelligence, particularly from the perspective of the Global South . The Foreign Office stated that Pakistan “looks forward to working closely with fellow WAICO member states in efforts to help bridge the global AI divide and to promote equitable access to AI to advance development for all” .
The newly established organization aims to promote AI governance that is “beneficial, safe, fair, healthy, and orderly,” upholding the purposes of the UN Charter and adhering to a people-centered approach .
Bilateral Meeting with Chinese FM
During his visit, Dar also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where they reviewed Pakistan-China bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. The two leaders underscored the importance of advancing high-quality development under CPEC 2.0 and enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy, and AI .
