Oman Joins 29 Founding Nations to Establish Global AI Cooperation Body

SHANGHAI — The Sultanate of Oman has signed the agreement establishing the Global Cooperation Organization in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, joining 29 founding member countries in a new international body focused on AI cooperation, governance and responsible technology development.

The agreement was signed in Shanghai by Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, who led Oman’s delegation to the signing ceremony and the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, being held from July 17 to 20.

The new organization, headquartered in Shanghai, is an independent intergovernmental body intended to strengthen international cooperation in artificial intelligence and support the development of governance frameworks for the safe and responsible use of AI technologies.

Al-Shidhani said Oman’s participation reflects the Sultanate’s continued engagement in international initiatives addressing AI development and governance.

Oman also participated in the first Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, held under the auspices of the United Nations, as part of its engagement in international discussions around AI policy.

According to Al-Shidhani, Oman supports the development of a global governance framework that encourages technological innovation while taking into account the interests and capabilities of different countries.

The organization is expected to promote cooperation in AI development, encourage responsible use and help reduce disparities in artificial intelligence capabilities between countries.

For Oman, membership could strengthen access to international research, emerging technologies and expertise while creating additional opportunities to develop national capabilities in AI deployment and governance.

The Omani delegation also included Dr. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Barwani, CEO of the National Centre for Statistics and Information, and Dr. Saeed bin Hamad Al-Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, alongside officials specializing in artificial intelligence.

The move adds an international dimension to Oman’s efforts to strengthen its role in AI policy and digital transformation while contributing to discussions shaping global governance frameworks for increasingly advanced artificial intelligence systems.