Shanghai: Twenty-nine countries on Thursday signed an agreement in Shanghai, China, to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

According to Anadolu Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from the 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia, signed the agreement. These countries are now recognized as the founding members of WAICO.

Under the terms of the agreement, WAICO will operate as an independent intergovernmental international organization with its headquarters based in Shanghai. The signing ceremony also saw the participation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The organization is set to uphold the purposes outlined in the UN Charter, focusing on extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. It will implement a people-centered approach, as stated in the agreement.

The primary goal of WAICO is to enhance international cooperation and global governance in the field of artificial intelligence. The organization aims to ensure AI technology is safe, fair, and beneficial, while promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.

China first proposed the establishment of WAICO in July last year. The signing event precedes the four-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which is scheduled to begin on Friday in Shanghai.