On 16 July 2026 in Shanghai, Indonesia officially became one of the 29 founding members of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Proposed by China, WAICO is a new intergovernmental organization dedicated to global cooperation on artificial intelligence.
None of the founding members are major Western countries. The United States and its allies did not sign the agreement.
China first proposed WAICO in July 2025. At the same time, Premier Li Qiang unveiled the Global AI Governance Action Plan, a 13-point framework covering AI safety, infrastructure, data standards, and multilateral cooperation. One year later, the proposal became a formal international organization.
29 Founding Members in Shanghai
The founding agreement was signed during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed on behalf of China, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended the ceremony.
President Xi Jinping described AI development as "not a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation."
Five Southeast Asian countries joined as founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
The other 24 members are China, Algeria, Belarus, Brazil, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Zambia.
The Seat the United States Didn't Take
The United States and other major Western countries were not part of WAICO's founding. All 29 founding members come from countries commonly grouped under the Global South.
According to Al Jazeera, WAICO reflects a shift in China's strategy. Rather than simply exporting AI infrastructure, China is now seeking to help shape the global rules for AI governance, while the United States appears to be taking a less active role in leading international technology governance.
This marks a significant change for China itself. For decades, it largely adapted to technology standards developed elsewhere, including those that emerged from the United States.
Through WAICO, China is positioning itself as a leading architect of global AI governance, backed by developing and middle-income countries that have often been underrepresented in Western-led AI forums.
Why Indonesia Joined
Indonesia's decision followed a cabinet meeting on 13 July 2026, when President Prabowo Subianto instructed the government to play an active role in international AI governance rather than remain a passive observer.
Three days later, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto signed WAICO's founding agreement on Indonesia's behalf.
Explaining the decision, Airlangga said, "The benefit of joining WAICO is to ensure Indonesia does not fall behind in AI development." He also emphasized that "AI should become a bridge for cooperation, not a tool for division."
Indonesia stated its commitment to AI that is "inclusive, safe, ethical, and not monopolized by any single power."
The government expects membership to help align Indonesia's AI development with global technological progress, support the digital economy, give Indonesia a voice in shaping WAICO from its earliest stage, and ensure AI contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Founding membership remains open until 30 July 2026, meaning the list of 29 countries could still grow. Even so, one thing became clear in Shanghai: Indonesia chose to take a seat at a new global AI governance table—one established without Washington.
