ADDIS ABABA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has said that the country's membership in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) reflects its strong commitment to fostering international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology Belete Molla recently signed the founding agreement of the WAICO in Shanghai, China, making the country one of the 29 founding members of the newly established organization, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology said in a statement on Sunday.
The ministry stressed that the East African country's participation in the WAICO "reflects the country's growing commitment to artificial intelligence, digital transformation and international technology cooperation."
The ministry also highlighted the significance of the WAICO's primary objective, as the organization aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that it is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.
On July 16, representatives from 29 countries signed the agreement establishing the WAICO. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among the representatives from various countries and international organizations present at the signing ceremony.
According to the agreement, the Shanghai-headquartered independent intergovernmental international organization will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, be committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and adhere to a people-centered approach. ■