Chinese Government Launches WAICO, a 29-Nation AI International Organization with Russia Among Participants

The Chinese government has officially launched WAICO (World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization), a 29-nation government-led international body for AI collaboration, based in Shanghai. The organization, unveiled ahead of the WAIC 2026 conference, includes members such as Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia. China promoted the initiative in 2025 and finalized the agreement this year, transforming it into a permanent international body aligned with UN principles. WAICO aims to harmonize national AI strategies, standards, and governance frameworks while advancing cross-border cooperation and industrial applications. China emphasized its open approach, linking WAICO to a UN-centered global AI governance framework, with future success hinging on member expansion, institutional development, and implementation capacity.