29 Countries Sign Agreement to Establish World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization

Representatives from 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai on Thursday to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, a new intergovernmental body aimed at strengthening international cooperation on artificial intelligence.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance being held in China.

Under the agreement, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization will operate as an independent intergovernmental international organization, with its headquarters in Shanghai.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government, along with representatives from 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia. The participating countries will serve as the founding members of the organization.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among the representatives of countries and international organizations attending the signing ceremony.

According to the agreement, the organization will uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and promote extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in the development and governance of artificial intelligence.

The organization will adopt a people-centred approach and work to strengthen international cooperation and global governance in the field of AI.

Its objectives include ensuring that artificial intelligence develops in a beneficial, safe and fair manner while promoting the healthy and orderly development of AI technologies for the benefit of humanity.