Pakistan has signed the founding agreement of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), becoming one of 29 founding members of the new intergovernmental artificial intelligence (AI) body headquartered in Shanghai. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement alongside representatives from countries including China, Kazakhstan, Laos, Russia and Indonesia, China’s foreign ministry said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed on behalf of Beijing. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and representatives of other countries and international organisations attended the ceremony. The agreement defines WAICO as an independent intergovernmental organisation aimed at promoting international cooperation and global governance of AI. It will seek to support AI development that is beneficial, safe and fair, according to the ministry. In an X post, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the country would use its membership to advance AI cooperation from the perspective of the Global South, work with other members to narrow the global AI divide and promote more equitable access to the technology.
Pakistan joins new global AI body as founding member
Published on: July 18, 2026 9:04 AM