Key Takeaways
- Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will sign Pakistan's founding membership of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai.
- The signing ceremony and participation in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) are part of a two-day visit to China.
- Pakistan aims to promote equitable access to AI technologies and sustainable development through international cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to travel to Shanghai for a two-day official visit, during which he will sign Pakistan's founding membership of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO).
According to the Foreign Office (FO), this signing ceremony, scheduled for July 16-17, marks an important step in international AI governance and cooperation.
The visit also includes Dar’s participation in the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and a High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, where he will discuss matters of mutual interest with other officials.
During his engagements, Dar is expected to share Pakistan's perspective on strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the priorities and development needs of the Global South.
He will underscore the importance of bridging the global AI divide, promoting equitable access to AI technologies, enhancing capacity-building, and ensuring that the benefits of AI contribute to sustainable development and shared prosperity for all.
Last July, Chinese Premier Li Qiang highlighted the need for governance and open-source development during the opening of WAIC in Shanghai. This initiative was seen as a concrete step toward promoting the development of artificial intelligence for good and for all.
During his four-day visit to China earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed support for China’s initiative of establishing WAICO, emphasizing Pakistan's commitment to working with Beijing on global AI governance.
