The Sultanate of Oman has signed the agreement establishing the Global Cooperation Organization in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, becoming one of the 29 founding member countries of the new international organization focused on cooperation and governance in artificial intelligence (AI).
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.
Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shidhani led Oman’s delegation to the signing ceremony and the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, which is being held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20.
The organization, which will be headquartered in Shanghai, is an independent intergovernmental body established to promote international cooperation in artificial intelligence, support AI governance, and encourage the responsible development and application of AI technologies.
Dr. Al-Shidhani said that Oman’s participation reflects the country’s continued engagement in international initiatives related to artificial intelligence development and governance.
Oman also participated in the first Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, held under the auspices of the United Nations last week, as part of its efforts to engage with international discussions on AI policy and governance.
Oman’s approach to AI development
Dr. Al-Shidhani remarked that Oman has presented its vision for international cooperation in developing a global AI governance framework that supports technological innovation while taking into account the interests of all countries.
The approach encourages cooperation in developing AI technologies and promotes responsible governance and sustainable use.
According to Dr. Al-Shidhani, the new organization will work to support international cooperation, promote the safe use of artificial intelligence, and help reduce disparities in AI capabilities among countries.
Dr. Al-Shidhani underscored that Oman’s membership will provide opportunities to strengthen its capabilities in developing and applying artificial intelligence technologies through cooperation with other member states.
The membership will facilitate access to research, emerging technologies, and international experience in AI governance while enabling Oman to contribute to discussions on international AI governance frameworks.
The Omani delegation includes Dr. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Barwani, CEO of the National Center for Statistics and Information; Dr. Saeed bin Hamad Al-Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences; and a number of officials specializing in artificial intelligence.
The Global Cooperation Organization in the Field of Artificial Intelligence was established by 29 founding member countries to support cooperation and coordination on artificial intelligence development and governance.
