World AI Cooperation Organization. Photo: Shutterstock Twenty-nine countries have signed an agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new China-backed intergovernmental body aimed at promoting international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence.
The signing ceremony took place in Shanghai on July 16, 2026, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signing the agreement on behalf of China. The organization's headquarters will be located in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone in Beijing's efforts to position itself at the center of global AI governance.
According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, WAICO will operate as an independent international organization guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter. Its stated mission is to promote the development of AI in a manner that is beneficial, safe, and equitable while encouraging greater international collaboration.
Founding members include China, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Laos, among others. Representatives from 29 countries signed the agreement, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres and officials from several international organizations attended the ceremony.
The launch of WAICO comes at a time of increasing competition between China and the United States over artificial intelligence, including disputes over semiconductor exports, AI models, and international standards governing the technology. Analysts say the organization could emerge as a major new platform for AI cooperation, particularly among developing nations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for a more inclusive approach to AI development, warning against what he describes as technological monopolies and advocating broader access to AI capabilities. Speaking during this year's World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi said artificial intelligence should become "a global public good" accessible to all countries.
The establishment of the organization is one of the most significant international AI developments of the year and highlights the growing geopolitical importance of artificial intelligence as nations compete to influence how the technology is regulated and deployed worldwide.