Bangladesh joins global AI cooperation body as observer

Bangladesh has decided to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as an observer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday.

The ministry said the decision marks Bangladesh's initial participation in the newly established inter-governmental organization, which aims to strengthen international cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and promote responsible development of the technology.

Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO was formally established on July 16, 2026. The organization seeks to deepen global collaboration on AI innovation, promote inclusive development by reducing the global digital divide, and support an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for AI development.

According to the Foreign Ministry, WAICO also aims to advance international AI governance and regulatory frameworks to help ensure that the rapidly evolving technology remains safe and beneficial for humanity.

Bangladesh's observer status is expected to provide the country with an opportunity to engage in global discussions on AI policy, governance and technological cooperation while exploring future avenues for deeper collaboration with member states.