Bangladesh Joins China-Led World AI Cooperation Organization as Observer
Bangladesh has decided to join the China-led World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as an observer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this decision on their verified Facebook page on Saturday afternoon. The organization, officially launched on July 16 with 29 member countries, aims to deepen international cooperation in innovation, reduce the global digital divide, and promote inclusive development. WAICO also seeks to foster an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for advancements in AI and develop regulatory frameworks to ensure the technology is beneficial and safe for humanity.
This move comes shortly after Bangladesh's Information and Communication Technology Minister, Fakhrul Mahmud Anam, represented the country at an AI conference in Shanghai last month. During this conference, China announced the formation of WAICO, initially comprising 29 nations including Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, and Senegal, many from the 'Global South'. The decision to join WAICO was discussed during a meeting between Bangladesh's Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 22 in Manila, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum. The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, also reviewed implementation decisions from the Prime Minister's recent China visit with the Foreign Minister, including Bangladesh's participation in WAICO.
Notably, Bangladesh's announcement coincided with a visit by U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Sergio Gor, who met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to discuss cooperation in the IT sector. During their meeting, Bangladesh expressed interest in attracting IT investments, and Gor highlighted Bangladesh's potential, suggesting it could become a partner in the 'Pax Silika' initiative. Pax Silika, a U.S.-led international economic and security initiative set for December 2025, aims to build secure and reliable global supply chains for AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Following his meeting with Foreign Minister Momen, journalists inquired about U.S. concerns regarding Chinese technology use in Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister acknowledged the evolving global landscape, noting the emergence of two distinct systems and the ongoing U.S. review of WAICO.
AI Governance and Geopolitical Alignment: Bangladesh's decision to join the China-led WAICO as an observer, announced on the same day as a U.S. envoy's visit discussing IT cooperation, highlights the increasing geopolitical competition in shaping global AI governance. This move suggests Bangladesh is navigating a complex international environment, potentially balancing relationships with both major powers. The formation of WAICO, with its stated goals of inclusivity and safety, contrasts with the U.S.-led Pax Silika initiative focused on supply chain security. Bangladesh's participation indicates a strategic choice to engage with emerging global AI blocs, reflecting a desire to influence nascent regulatory frameworks and secure technological development opportunities. The nation's foreign policy appears to be adapting to a bifurcating technological landscape, seeking to maximize benefits while managing potential risks associated with alignment.
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