Ethiopia Becomes a Founding Member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO)

Shanghai, China – Ethiopia's Minister of Innovation and Technology, H.E. Dr. Belete Molla, signed the Founding Agreement of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of Ethiopia during the official signing ceremony held in Shanghai on Thursday.

The signing ceremony took place on the eve of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which is currently being held in Shanghai.

A total of 29 countries signed the agreement, becoming the founding members of the newly established independent international non-governmental organization dedicated to global cooperation in artificial intelligence.

China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of China. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was among the distinguished representatives attending the ceremony.

According to the agreement, WAICO's headquarters will be located in Shanghai. The organization will uphold the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, promote extensive consultation and mutually beneficial cooperation, and adopt a human-centered approach to the development and governance of artificial intelligence.

The organization's primary objective is to strengthen international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI development remains beneficial, safe, secure, inclusive, and equitable for all humanity.

Ethiopia's participation reflects the country's growing commitment to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and international technology cooperation.

The Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) has been actively leading and coordinating several national digital transformation initiatives, including:

• Successful implementation of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy;
• Development and implementation of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy; and
• Establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute, along with other strategic initiatives that support Ethiopia's digital future.

Earlier this year, Dr. Belete Molla reaffirmed Ethiopia's commitment to expanding international partnerships in data resources, technological innovation, and digital development, emphasizing the country's determination to collaborate globally in advancing emerging technologies.

The proposal to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was first introduced by China in July 2025. The initiative aims to bridge the global AI divide, promote inclusive AI development, and create a multilateral platform that enables countries—particularly those in the Global South—to benefit equitably from advances in artificial intelligence and related technologies.