Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia has officially become one of the 29 founding member states of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) after signing the founding agreement on 16 July 2026 in Shanghai, China. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Angga Raka Prabowo, who accompanied Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, the head of the Indonesian government delegation.
The 29 founding member countries include Algeria, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Zambia.
The signing ceremony was also attended by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, reflecting the UN’s support for the establishment of the organization.
WAICO to Strengthen Global AI Governance and Indonesia’s Digital Economy
WAICO was established as an independent, non-profit intergovernmental organization operating within the United Nations framework. Its mission is to promote innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) while advancing the principle of "AI for Good and for All" through responsible and inclusive AI development worldwide.
The organization aims to strengthen international cooperation in AI capacity building, improve access to AI services and technologies, foster the development of open, inclusive, and equitable AI solutions, facilitate global supply-demand matchmaking, enhance coordination on AI development strategies and ethics, and support AI governance within the UN framework.
The establishment of WAICO is expected to significantly support Indonesia's efforts to position the digital economy as a key driver of the country's next phase of economic growth. The initiative is also anticipated to accelerate digital transformation and attract greater investment into high-value industries.
Following the signing ceremony, an Informal Preparatory Session on the Establishment of WAICO is scheduled for 17 July 2026 in Shanghai. The session will be led by Deputy Minister Angga Raka Prabowo as head of the Indonesian delegation, alongside a series of bilateral meetings. He will be accompanied by Aju Widya Sari, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, as well as the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing.
Deputy Minister Angga Raka Prabowo stated that Indonesia's participation in WAICO represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the country's AI governance in line with international best practices. He added that the membership will also expand opportunities for cross-border collaboration to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and beneficial to all.
Conclusion
Indonesia's participation as a founding member of WAICO marks a significant step toward strengthening its position in the global AI ecosystem. By joining international efforts to promote responsible, inclusive, and ethical AI development, the country is expected to accelerate digital transformation, expand cross-border collaboration, and reinforce AI governance that supports sustainable economic growth. As AI continues to shape the future of industries and societies, Indonesia's active role in WAICO demonstrates its commitment to contributing to global innovation while advancing its national digital economy.
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