Iran Becomes a Founding Member of the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation
The Islamic Republic of Iran has become one of the founding member states of the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation (WAICO) by signing the organization’s founding document on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. This move paves the way for Iran to participate more actively in shaping international mechanisms for AI governance, technological cooperation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The World Artificial Intelligence Conference was held on July 16, 2026, in Shanghai, China. On the sidelines of the conference, the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation (WAICO) was established as a multilateral initiative to promote international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.
During the event, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to China signed the founding document of the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, officially registering Iran among the organization’s founding member states.
Establishing a Mechanism for Global Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence
The World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai was held with the participation of the President of China, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and officials from various countries. At the conference, the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation was introduced as an independent intergovernmental organization with its permanent headquarters in Shanghai. Focusing on capacity-building and technological cooperation, the organization provides a new mechanism for strengthening cooperation among countries in the field of artificial intelligence.
Under the announced framework, the United Nations will remain the primary platform for global dialogue and political norm-setting on artificial intelligence, while the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation will focus on developing practical cooperation, capacity-building, and the transfer of knowledge and technology among countries.
Emphasis on Equitable and Human-Centered AI Governance
In his keynote address at the conference, titled “Cooperation to Build a Fair and Rational Global AI Governance System,” Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, stressed the need to guide artificial intelligence toward serving humanity, promoting economic development, improving public well-being, and helping address global challenges.
He also emphasized that artificial intelligence should not become a tool for creating new divides between countries or concentrating technological capabilities in the hands of a limited group of actors.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also emphasized the need for all countries to participate in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of equal participation by countries in dialogues and decision-making processes related to this technology.
Iran Among the Founding Member States
The agreement establishing the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation was initially signed by 30 countries, including China, Russia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco.
The organization’s key stated objectives include promoting international cooperation in artificial intelligence, strengthening global governance, narrowing the technological divide between developed and developing countries, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology, developing human and institutional capacities, and advancing the safety, security, and responsible, human-centered use of artificial intelligence.
The organization will also seek to support the application of artificial intelligence in economic and social development and strengthen scientific, educational, and industrial cooperation among its member states.
A Step Toward Iran’s Participation in Global AI Governance
The establishment of the World Association for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation can be seen as a sign that the governance of this technology is entering a new phase, in which, alongside the development of AI models and infrastructure, the formulation of rules, standards, and mechanisms for international cooperation is becoming increasingly important. By signing the agreement establishing the organization and joining its founding members, the Islamic Republic of Iran has also laid the groundwork for a more active presence and participation in international dialogues on the future of AI governance. This capacity can be harnessed to advance scientific, educational, and technological cooperation and promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence in support of the country’s development.
