Pakistan Becomes Founding Member of WAICO as Ishaq Dar Holds AI-Focused Talks with China’s Wang Yi
Pakistan Becomes Founding Member of WAICO as Ishaq Dar Holds AI-Focused Talks with China’s Wang Yi
Sub-headline:
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to inclusive global AI governance and expands cooperation with China in AI, digital economy and CPEC 2.0.
Shanghai, July 17, 2026: Pakistan achieved a major diplomatic and technological milestone by becoming a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar attended the conference’s opening ceremony, addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and later held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Pakistan–China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and agreed to expand cooperation under CPEC 2.0 in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.
Pakistan also reiterated its support for inclusive and equitable global AI governance, greater access to emerging technologies, and enhanced international cooperation to ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared by all.
