Pakistan becomes founding member of World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation – Pakistan
https://www.dawn.com/news/2015858
Publish Date: 2026-07-16 13:19:00
Source Domain: www.dawn.com
Pakistan on Thursday became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement establishing the organisation in Shanghai, China, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement on the establishment of the WAICO on behalf of Pakistan at the signing ceremony held today in Shanghai, China,” the FO said in a post on X.
As a founding member of WAICO, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international cooperation in the area of artificial intelligence, especially from the perspective of the Global South, it added.
“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 FO added.
Earlier in the day, FM Dar arrived in China to sign the agreement on behalf of Pakistan. China had proposed the creation of WAICO last year for AI governance.
In an earlier statement, the FO said that FM Dar would also participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 during the visit and engage with other leaders to advance international AI cooperation and promote inclusive, equitable AI governance.
He was also supposed to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, as well as meetings with other officials to discuss matters of mutual interest during the China trip.
Meeting with Chinese FM
During the Shanghai visit, FM Dar also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the margins of World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), the FO said.
“The two leaders reviewed the broad canvas of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” it added.
The FO…
