Bangladesh Joins China-Led AI Cooperation Organization Amid Global Tech Competition
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Bangladesh has officially decided to join the China-led World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as an observer, a move that highlights the country’s increasing engagement with emerging global technological frameworks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Saturday, confirming Dhaka’s involvement in the Shanghai-based body that was formally inaugurated on July 16 with 29 founding members.
The coalition, which includes nations such as Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa, aims to foster international cooperation in AI innovation, bridge the global digital divide, and promote inclusive development. Central to its mandate is the creation of a regulatory framework designed to ensure that advancements in artificial intelligence remain open, fair, and non-discriminatory, while prioritizing the safety and long-term benefits of the technology for humanity.
The decision to join follows high-level diplomatic discussions between the two nations. According to diplomatic sources, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi formally requested Bangladesh’s participation in WAICO during a meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila last month. The topic was further solidified during a recent visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, where the two officials reviewed the implementation of decisions stemming from the Prime Minister’s recent state visit to China.
Bangladesh’s alignment with the China-led initiative coincides with intensified interest from the United States in the nation’s technology sector. On the same day the WAICO announcement was made, U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Sergio Gor met with Prime Minister Tareq Rahman to discuss potential partnerships in the IT industry. During the visit, Gor noted that Bangladesh holds significant potential in the tech sector and could eventually become a partner in “Pax Silica,” a U.S.-led international economic and security initiative launched to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals.
The simultaneous engagement with both Chinese-led and U.S.-backed tech initiatives reflects a broader global shift. Addressing concerns from reporters regarding the potential for technological polarization, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman acknowledged that the world appears to be evolving into distinct blocks. He noted that the international community is still navigating the implications of these emerging systems, adding that the United States is currently in the process of reviewing the newly formed WAICO.
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