Pakistan has become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement establishing the forum during a ceremony held in Shanghai, China. The Foreign Office said Dar signed the agreement on Pakistan’s behalf at the event, marking the country’s formal entry into the newly created body focused on international AI governance.
As a founding member, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international cooperation on artificial intelligence, particularly from the perspective of the Global South, according to the Foreign Office. The ministry added that Pakistan looks forward to working closely with fellow member states to help bridge the global AI divide and promote equitable access to the technology in support of development for all countries involved. Dar traveled to China earlier in the day specifically to attend the signing ceremony, with the organisation having been proposed by China last year as a platform for global AI governance discussions.
During the same visit, Dar was also scheduled to take part in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 and to engage with other international leaders on advancing cooperation around artificial intelligence and promoting governance frameworks that are inclusive and equitable. Alongside these engagements, he held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the conference, where the two leaders reviewed the broader relationship between Pakistan and China and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening what has been described as an all weather strategic partnership. The Foreign Office said the meeting also touched on advancing development under the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and expanding collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.
Pakistan’s support for the creation of the organisation dates back to a visit to China by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this year, during which Islamabad expressed backing for the Chinese led initiative and pledged to work with Beijing to advance global governance and international cooperation on artificial intelligence. The signing in Shanghai formalizes that earlier commitment, positioning Pakistan among the group of nations shaping the direction of the new cooperation body from its inception.
The agreement was signed against the backdrop of a broader gathering in Shanghai focused on global AI governance, where officials and industry figures from multiple countries convened to discuss the future of artificial intelligence regulation and cooperation. The event has drawn attention from governments and technology companies alike, reflecting the growing importance nations are placing on shaping international rules and partnerships around artificial intelligence as the technology continues to expand across economic and strategic domains worldwide.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
