Cambodia Joins Global AI Cooperation Organization as Founding Member

Cambodia has become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new bloc aimed at promoting international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI). Chea Vandeth, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, signed the agreement on behalf of Cambodia on July 16 in Shanghai, China, making the Kingdom one of the organization's 29 founding members. The signing coincided with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet's participation in this year's World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, where he joined global leaders and experts. WAICO will operate as an independent intergovernmental international organization with its headquarters in Shanghai. Its objectives include promoting international cooperation and global governance in AI, ensuring AI is beneficial, safe, and equitable, and fostering its healthy and orderly development for the benefit of all humanity. The organization's agreement states that it will uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, promote extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and adhere to a people-centered approach. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signed the agreement for the Chinese government. Other founding members include Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also attended the signing ceremony. The pact is expected to inject fresh momentum into the development of emerging technologies like AI in Cambodia as the country accelerates its transition toward an innovation-driven economy, aiming for high-income status by 2050. This move builds on existing strong ties and cooperation between China and Cambodia, with the two countries having signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen collaboration in AI in April 2025.