Shanghai: The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) took part in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Artificial Intelligence Governance, held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, 2026. Mr. Abdonor Sekindi, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, represented the OIC, joining policymakers, international organization leaders, and academic and industrial institution heads to deliberate on the future of AI governance.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the conference’s opening ceremony saw attendance from significant global figures, including Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, as well as leaders from Kazakhstan and Cambodia, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other notable attendees. Mr. Sekindi engaged in productive discussions on the sidelines with delegation heads and senior Chinese officials, focusing on the OIC’s potential contributions to a global AI governance framework align
ed with the organization’s values and member states’ priorities.
Mr. Sekindi also consulted with representatives from the Arab League, the African Union, and the Gulf Cooperation Council to share experiences and best practices. These discussions aim to inform the development of the OIC Vision for Artificial Intelligence, an initiative currently underway by the OIC General Secretariat.
During the meetings, Mr. Sekindi emphasized the OIC’s commitment to advancing AI’s development and humane management, addressing the digital divide, and fostering cooperation among member states in science, technology, and innovation. The OIC’s involvement in the conference underscores its dedication to influencing the international AI dialogue and ensuring the Islamic world’s perspectives are considered in emerging global standards and policies.