Bangladesh to join WAICO
Bangladesh has decided to join the newly established World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as an observer, marking a significant step in its engagement with global artificial intelligence governance.
Meanwhile, visiting US Special Envoy Sergio Gor on Saturday said the Bangladesh also has the potential to become a future partner in the United States led Pax Silica initiative.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that Bangladesh would initially join WAICO as an observer. The organisation, headquartered in Shanghai, was formally established on 16 July as an independent intergovernmental body aimed at strengthening international cooperation on artificial intelligence.
Gor while meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the latter’s office on Saturday observed that Bangladesh has considerable potential in the AI sector and could eventually become a partner in the Pax Silica initiative, the US State Department’s flagship framework on artificial intelligence and supply chain security.
Pax Silica currently has 24 signatories, including Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The initiative seeks to promote trusted partnerships on AI development, secure technology supply chains and economic security among like-minded countries.
The simultaneous developments indicate that Bangladesh is seeking to expand cooperation with both emerging and established international AI governance frameworks as it pursues its digital transformation agenda.
According to the Foreign Ministry, WAICO seeks to deepen international cooperation on AI innovation, promote inclusive development by narrowing the global digital divide, support an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for AI development, and advance regulations to ensure artificial intelligence remains safe and beneficial for humanity.
Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO was formed by representatives of 29 countries who signed its founding agreement on 16 July.
The organisation was established following a proposal made by China at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and aims to become a permanent platform for international cooperation on AI governance.
The signing ceremony was attended by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres alongside senior officials from several countries. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi represented Beijing at the event.
WAICO’s founding members include China, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia and several countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The organisation says it is open to sovereign states regardless of political system and places emphasis on development, reducing technological inequality and expanding access to AI capabilities alongside addressing risks associated with the technology.
Analysts say the creation of WAICO reflects a growing effort by emerging economies to play a greater role in shaping global AI governance, complementing existing Western led initiatives such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), G7 and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
Unlike many existing AI governance initiatives, WAICO places strong emphasis on expanding access to AI technologies, computing infrastructure, technical standards and capacity building, particularly for developing countries.
Its founding principles stress adherence to the UN Charter, extensive consultation among member states, shared benefits and a people-centred approach to AI development.
The organisation is also intended to facilitate cooperation on AI research, regulation and technological innovation.
Bangladesh’s observer status is expected to allow it to participate in discussions on AI policy, governance and international cooperation while exploring opportunities for future collaboration in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Gor’s remarks on Bangladesh’s prospects under the Pax Silica initiative suggest that Washington also sees opportunities for deeper cooperation with Dhaka in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and secure technology supply chains as the country continues to strengthen its technological capabilities.
