Ethiopia has partnered with 29 other nations to officially establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla (PhD), signed the founding agreement on behalf of the nation during a ceremony held on Thursday on the eve of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) currently underway in Shanghai.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the establishment accord on behalf of his country, joining representatives from the other member states to launch this new, independent, non-governmental international body. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was also present to witness the historic signing ceremony.

Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO is dedicated to upholding the principles of the UN Charter through a human-centric approach that prioritizes broad consultation and mutual contribution for collective benefit. The organization aims to enhance global cooperation and governance in artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI development progresses in a safe, equitable, and universally beneficial direction for all of humanity.

Ethiopia's foundational role in the organization underscores its accelerating commitment to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. The Ministry of Innovation and Technology has actively championed these efforts, spearheading initiatives such as the successfully concluded Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, the subsequent Digital Ethiopia 2030 framework, and the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Earlier this year, Dr. Belete Molla highlighted Ethiopia's steadfast commitment to fostering international collaboration on data resources, technological innovation, and digital development. The concept for WAICO was originally proposed by China in July 2025 as a multilateral platform designed to bridge the global AI divide and ensure that the socioeconomic benefits of emerging technologies are shared equitably with the Global South.