Uzbekistan has become a co-founder of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new international body established to promote global cooperation on artificial intelligence development, technology exchange, and AI governance.
The agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was signed in Shanghai, China, ahead of the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference.
Representatives of nearly 30 countries signed the founding agreement. Uzbekistan was represented by Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov. The document was also signed by Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on behalf of their respective countries.
According to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies, the newly established organization aims to strengthen international cooperation in artificial intelligence, facilitate the exchange of advanced technologies, and develop common approaches to the safe and responsible use of AI.
The ministry stated that Uzbekistan's participation as one of WAICO's founding members is intended to expand the country's international cooperation in artificial intelligence, strengthen its involvement in the global AI ecosystem, and provide access to international expertise and advanced technologies. WAICO will be headquartered in Shanghai.
The agreement was signed ahead of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, taking place in Shanghai from July 17 to July 20 under the theme "Intelligent Partners – Creating the Future Together."
According to the conference agenda, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to present China's policies and initiatives on the development and governance of artificial intelligence during the opening ceremony.
