China became the first of the 38 founding members to approve the agreement, with the decision made at the 25th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress.
China proposed the organization and is its host country.
China’s president unveiled the organization at a July event combining the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference with a high-level meeting on global AI governance. The proposal drew positive reactions abroad; 38 countries joined as founding members.
Its stated purpose is to help countries benefit from AI’s opportunities. China says preparations are continuing ahead of full operations, and it invites more countries to join.
Beijing has identified cooperation and support for developing AI capabilities in the Global South as priorities. It says the organization should encourage consultation and shared contributions among members, support AI for the public good, and promote a global governance framework that is fair and reasonable.
