World : Bangladesh is set to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), led by China, as an observer member.
Among the initial members of this alliance with China are Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, and several other Global South countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared this information in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday (August 1).
According to the statement, the organization’s declared objectives include: deepening international cooperation in innovation; reducing the global digital divide to promote inclusive development; supporting an open, impartial, and non-discriminatory environment for global AI advancement; and advancing AI regulations to ensure this emerging technology remains beneficial and safe for humanity.
The intergovernmental organization was established on July 16, with its headquarters in Shanghai, China’s largest commercial city. China announced the alliance during a high-level meeting at the World AI Conference, initially including 29 countries as members.
At the conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all nations to cooperate in the development and use of artificial intelligence technologies.
On Thursday, following a meeting in Dhaka with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Sergio Gor, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was asked about U.S. concerns regarding the use of Chinese technology in Bangladesh.
In response, he referred to the global divide between the U.S. and China over artificial intelligence. He also mentioned the formation of this new organization. Two days later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Bangladesh’s decision to join as an observer.