Lesotho joins WAICO as one of 29 founding members of the new global body for artificial intelligence cooperation. The Chinese Embassy in Maseru issued a formal note of congratulations.
Lesotho joins WAICO following the signing of the founding agreement in Shanghai on 16 July. Twenty-nine countries took part in the ceremony that created the independent intergovernmental organisation.
WAICO will operate with its headquarters in Shanghai. The body focuses on international cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Chinese embassy issues congratulations
The Chinese Embassy in Maseru posted the official note on its social media channels.
WAICO will be an independent intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Shanghai.
The note confirms Lesotho’s place among the founding members. The Lesotho News Agency also carried the development.
Who else joined WAICO
Lesotho joins WAICO alongside countries that include Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Laos. The 29 founding members signed the agreement together in Shanghai.
The organisation promotes beneficial, safe and fair artificial intelligence development. It operates under the principles of the United Nations Charter.
For Lesotho the step opens channels for technical cooperation, skills development and participation in international AI policy.
Background to the new organisation
China proposed WAICO in July 2025 during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement at that time.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the founding agreement on behalf of China. Shanghai has hosted the World Artificial Intelligence Conference annually since 2018.
No specific projects involving Lesotho have been announced. The government has not issued a statement on immediate next steps.
Sources: Chinese Embassy in Lesotho statement; Reuters; Global Times reporting on the 16 July 2026 signing ceremony.
