Dar attends WAIC opening ceremony in Shanghai after Pakistan joins WAICO

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with the Pakistani delegation, attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Friday, a day after Pakistan became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO).

Dar is in China on a two-day visit to attend the 2026 WAIC and formalise Pakistan's participation in the newly established organisation. Dar would represent Pakistan at engagements focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and international cooperation.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), the opening ceremony was addressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and followed the formal establishment of WAICO through the signing of its founding agreement by member states, including Pakistan.

The FO said Pakistan joined the organisation as a founding member after Dar signed the agreement on Thursday during his visit to Shanghai.

Reaffirming Pakistan's position on the development of artificial intelligence, the FO said the country "supports inclusive and equitable global AI governance, wider access to emerging technologies, capacity-building for developing countries, and enhanced international cooperation to bridge the digital divide."

It added that Pakistan believes "the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared by all".

FO said in an earlier statement that Dar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai on the sidelines of WAICO held on Thursday, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Pakistan-China strategic partnership and expanding cooperation in emerging technologies.

Dar was accompanied by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Bilal Bin Saqib, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Syed Asad Gillani, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Pakistan's Chargé d'Affaires in Beijing Aizaz Khan.

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers reviewed the broad canvas of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the continued strength and steady growth of ties.

The two sides "reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership," the FO said.

The leaders also underscored the importance of advancing high-quality development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, agreeing to accelerate practical cooperation across a range of sectors.

"They agreed to strengthen practical cooperation and enhance collaboration in trade, investment, science and technology, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence," the statement said.

The meeting also focused on the latest regional and global developments, with both countries emphasising the need for continued engagement on issues of mutual concern.

According to the FO, both sides "reaffirmed their resolve to maintain close coordination and continue consultations on issues of mutual interest."

The statement added that "both leaders also reiterated their commitment to continue cooperation at multilateral fora".

The FO said the meeting further reinforced Pakistan-China strategic cooperation and highlighted the shared vision of both countries for innovation-led growth. "It also reflected the shared commitment of the two countries to innovation-driven development and cooperation in emerging technologies," the statement added.

According to an earlier statement by the FO, the visit also aims to advance Pakistan's engagement on inclusive and equitable AI governance, capacity-building and international cooperation, while promoting the priorities of developing countries.

In recent years, Pakistan has sought to position itself as an emerging player in the AI sector, with growing talent and startups driving innovation across healthcare, education, and agriculture.

The country approved its National Artificial Intelligence Policy last year, outlining a roadmap focused on innovation, public awareness, secure systems and international collaboration. The plan includes an estimated Rs278 billion ($1 billion) investment by 2030 and initiatives such as the “AI Seekho 2026” programme to train one million people.

Authorities have also launched a sovereign AI cloud and a startup fund, alongside efforts to establish a regulatory framework for ethical and responsible AI use.

The WAIC, scheduled from July 17 to 20 in Shanghai under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future”, is expected to bring together global technology leaders, policymakers, and researchers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote address, underscoring China’s focus on AI as a driver of economic growth and global governance.

Organisers say the four-day event will feature over 140 forums and more than 1,400 participants, with over 1,100 companies showcasing cutting-edge innovations, including hundreds of global debuts.

The conference has emerged as one of the world's leading platforms for discussions on AI development, governance, and industry collaboration, while also promoting innovation, talent exchange, and startup growth.