Key Takeaways
- Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar signed Pakistan's agreement to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member.
- Dar will also participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 and engage with other leaders on AI governance.
- Pakistan supports China’s initiative for international AI cooperation, aiming to bridge the global AI divide.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has signed Pakistan's agreement to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member during his two-day visit to China’s Shanghai. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, with Dar being received by Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Wei and other Pakistani officials.
The Foreign Office stated that apart from the signing, Dar will participate in the upcoming World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 and engage with leaders to advance international AI cooperation. This visit is part of a broader effort to promote inclusive and equitable AI governance, as highlighted by China’s Premier Li Qiang during last year's WAIC.
During his engagements, Dar will share Pakistan’s perspective on strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence, emphasizing 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.
In a related development, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to outline an ambitious vision for China’s role in global AI governance at WAIC on Friday. Huawei will showcase its most advanced AI computing cluster during the forum, highlighting Beijing's drive to build domestic alternatives to US technology.
During his four-day visit to China earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed support for China’s initiative of establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, stating that it represents a concrete step toward promoting the development of artificial intelligence for good and for all. Islamabad pledged to work with Beijing to advance global governance and international cooperation on AI.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by key officials from both countries, including Aizaz Khan, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to China, and Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai. The Foreign Office noted that the visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual interests through enhanced cooperation in AI.
The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) was proposed by China last year for AI governance, with its creation seen as a significant step towards fostering international collaboration on this rapidly evolving technology.
