Photo: PID

DHAKA, July 18, 2026 (BSS) – Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said Bangladesh is actively working towards establishing a modern, safe, and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework rooted in human rights, ethics, and inclusive development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He made this remark while representing Bangladesh at the "High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance," organized during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, China, said a ministry press release received here today. 

Faqir Mahbub, also the Minister for Science and Technology, emphasized that the current government is pragmatically reforming the country’s digital policies and legal structures to make them contemporary. 

This transformation aims to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence for the welfare of the citizens while concurrently ensuring an effective governance framework to mitigate potential risks, he added.

The minister highlighted that under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh is progressing rapidly with the formulation of an integrated and inclusive National AI Policy. 

Simultaneously, he said, the government is executing pivotal initiatives, including: Strengthening personal data protection and cyber security measures, drafting guidelines for the deployment of AI in the public sector, ensuring responsible data management standards, expanding AI-based education and curriculum and establishing decentralized AI Centres of Excellence across various regions of the country.

The Minister proposed four fundamental priorities for global AI governance: safety, equity, adaptability, and international cooperation. 

He stressed that the international community must collaborate closely to ensure technology transfer, capacity building, data sovereignty, and equitable technological access for developing countries.

Faqir Mahbub Anam further underscored Bangladesh's call for robust global cooperation, asserting that the future of AI should not merely be a reflection of technological excellence, but must firmly embody human values, justice, and inclusivity.

Organized under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," the high-level meeting facilitated intensive dialogues on leveraging artificial intelligence effectively to accelerate sustainable development, strengthen collective security, ensure inclusive growth, and fortify global AI governance mechanisms.

The conference brought together heads of government, ministers and representatives from over a hundred countries, heads of international organizations, industry leaders, and distinguished academics. 

Participants engaged in a comprehensive exchange of perspectives regarding the future of artificial intelligence, its ethical governance, and the consolidation of global cooperation in this domain.

The four-day global summit, the WAIC 2026, is being held in Shanghai, China, from July 17 to July 20, 2026.