SHANGHAI (MNN): Pakistan on Thursday formally became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the founding agreement during a ceremony held in Shanghai, China.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), the signing marks a significant step in Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in promoting the interests and development priorities of countries in the Global South.
In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan at the official inauguration ceremony of WAICO.
The FO said Pakistan, as a founding member, looks forward to working closely with fellow member states to bridge the global AI divide, promote equitable access to emerging technologies and encourage the responsible use of artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
Foreign Minister Dar arrived in Shanghai earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to participate in the signing ceremony and attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, one of the world’s leading forums on AI innovation and governance.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dar held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-China relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
According to the Foreign Office, the two ministers discussed expanding cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with particular focus on trade, investment, science and technology, digital economy and artificial intelligence.
The leaders also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments and pledged to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office said the meeting reflected the shared vision of both countries to promote innovation-driven development and deepen collaboration in emerging technologies.
China proposed the establishment of WAICO in 2025 as a global platform to strengthen international cooperation and governance in artificial intelligence.
Pakistan had officially endorsed the Chinese initiative during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing earlier this year, expressing support for creating an inclusive international framework aimed at ensuring AI benefits all nations.
The Shanghai conference has drawn world leaders, policymakers, technology companies and leading AI researchers to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, governance frameworks and technological cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to outline Beijing’s vision for global AI governance during the conference, while several Chinese technology companies, including Huawei, are showcasing their latest artificial intelligence innovations.
WAIC 2026 is also expected to feature discussions on open-source AI, ethical governance, digital transformation and international cooperation, as countries seek to establish common standards for the rapidly evolving technology.
The establishment of WAICO is being viewed as a major international initiative aimed at promoting inclusive AI development, narrowing the global technology gap and strengthening cooperation among developing and developed nations alike.
