Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane (front row, seventh from right) joins representatives of 28 other founding member countries for a group photo following the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation in Shanghai on July 16.

Laos becomes founding member of global AI cooperation body

Laos has become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation on emerging technologies and advance its digital transformation agenda.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane signed the agreement establishing WAICO on behalf of the Lao government in Shanghai on July 16, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Thongsavanh attended the signing ceremony while leading a Lao delegation to the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and related events taking place in Shanghai from July 16-20 at the invitation of China’s Foreign Minister Mr Wang Yi.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a welcome banquet for representatives of participating countries and spoke about the importance of international cooperation in the development and governance of artificial intelligence.
Laos joined China and 28 other countries from ASEAN, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Africa in signing the agreement as founding members of WAICO. The ceremony was witnessed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The agreement establishing the organisation will remain open for signature by other countries.
The establishment of WAICO marks a milestone in multilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence, aimed at promoting the safe, responsible and inclusive development and application of AI technologies worldwide.
The organisation seeks to strengthen international coordination on governance frameworks, technical standards and ethical principles, while helping narrow the digital divide, particularly in developing countries.
WAICO is also expected to support capacity-building, technology sharing and international efforts to combat transnational crime and other challenges arising from the rapid advancement of digital technologies.
Laos’ participation as a founding member reflects its commitment to engaging in global discussions on AI governance and ensuring that technological progress contributes to sustainable development.
The move is also expected to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Laos and China and deepen cooperation in advanced technologies under the framework of the Laos-China community with a shared future.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participation in WAICO will help Laos strengthen international cooperation on artificial intelligence, attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, and support the development of a digital economy.
This cooperation framework will also create opportunities for the creative application of AI to drive national development while safeguarding political, economic and cultural stability, in line with the policy directions of the Lao Party and government.
Membership of WAICO is expected to support the implementation of Laos’ national vision, development strategies and digital economy plans, while contributing to broader international efforts to build a community with a shared future for humankind.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 20, 2026)