DPM Dar meets FM Wang Yi as Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to deepening strategic partnership
Pakistan Joins World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation as Founding Member
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico), reaffirming its commitment to international collaboration in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement establishing Waico on behalf of Pakistan during a ceremony held in Shanghai, China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s founding membership demonstrates its commitment to promoting global AI cooperation and strengthening partnerships in emerging technologies.
Pakistan will actively contribute to AI collaboration from the perspective of the Global South, while supporting efforts to ensure developing nations benefit from technological progress and innovation.
As a founding member, Pakistan has also pledged to work with other member countries to reduce the global AI gap and encourage fair and inclusive access to artificial intelligence technologies.
The ministry said stronger global cooperation in artificial intelligence could support development objectives and help ensure that the benefits of emerging technologies are shared more widely among nations and regions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to present China’s vision for the future of global AI governance at a forum on Friday.
Xi’s participation in the annual event for the first time highlights Beijing’s growing focus on artificial intelligence as both a key driver of economic development and a strategic technology shaping global competition.
The forum comes as China and the United States prepare for their first official AI discussions under US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Both countries recently presented different approaches to AI regulation during a United Nations dialogue. Washington warned that excessive regulation could slow innovation, while Beijing promoted its affordable, open-source AI models as a way to improve global access to the technology and reduce inequalities.
The event is also being held alongside a high-level Global AI Governance meeting, where updates on the progress of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico) and the implementation of the Global AI Governance Initiative are expected.
Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperation
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai on Thursday, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the global AI conference.
The two officials discussed the wide range of cooperation between the two countries and emphasized the importance of advancing high-quality development under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0.
They also explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments and reiterated their commitment to maintaining close coordination on matters of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office said the meeting further strengthened the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, reflecting both countries’ shared resolve to expand cooperation in emerging technologies and other important areas.
The FO added that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was accompanied by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives Ali Mustafa Dar, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Dr Syed Asad Ali Gillani, and Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in Beijing Aizaz Khan during the meeting.
