Indonesia Signs WAICO Establishment, Strengthen Global Cooperation in the Field of AI

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (left) (Photo: Ministry of Coordinating Economic Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government officially signed the founding document of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai, Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The signing of the establishment document was carried out by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto at the direction of President Prabowo Subianto in a Limited Meeting on July 13.

Indonesia's participation in the WAICO declaration is Indonesia's support to strengthen international cooperation in the development and governance of artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence or AI).

Airlangga emphasized that this signing was carried out at the direction of President Prabowo to encourage economic development that accelerates the Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations, and has an impact on the welfare of people around the world.

"Recognizing the need to engage directly in international cooperation and global governance on AI for healthy development and in a direction that is beneficial, safe, and fair for the benefit of all mankind, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," he said in a written statement, Friday, July 17.

For information, the signing of the document was carried out together with representatives of about 30 countries, represented by several Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and ministerial-level officials as well as government representatives, including China as the host, Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, South Africa, and a number of other countries.

Airlangga said this document is an agreement to form WAICO or the "Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO)".

WAICO was established as an independent international intergovernmental organization and granted international legal personality and all countries that sign this treaty document will be the founders and Member States of WAICO.

The momentum of the signing of the WAICO establishment agreement document took place in the series of events of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai.

Before the signing, a meeting was held with the President of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Xi Jinping, and also a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

This signing is an important milestone for the development of inter-state partnerships to promote artificial intelligence (AI) governance.

This step also marks a new chapter in the establishment of WAICO as an independent international intergovernmental organization focused on artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation in the civilian domain in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner.

Airlangga said Indonesia's presence as one of the founding members of the organization was a strategic step to encourage global AI governance that is human-centric.

He assessed that this approach is important so that the benefits of AI can be felt equally by all countries, especially developing countries, in supporting development and economic growth.

"The signing of the WAICO establishment agreement document today is an important milestone for all of us. Through this platform, Indonesia is committed to taking an active role in bridging the global technology capability gap (bridging the AI divide). The presence of representatives of friendly government countries confirms that we have the same vision in managing AI to be safer (safe), trustworthy (trustworthy), and ethical (ethical)," he concluded.