Hili Forum 2026: Registration opens, 60 speakers, 35+ nations

The Emirates Policy Center and Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy have launched registration for the third annual Hili Forum, set to take place in Abu Dhabi on September 7-8, 2026. The theme of the forum is "The Gulf at a Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction," and it will gather leading figures from the UAE, the region, and worldwide to discuss major global and regional changes and their impact on the Gulf.

Registration and additional information can be found on the Arabic registration page (hiliforum.ae/ar) and the English registration page (hiliforum.ae/en). Over 60 speakers and more than 1,000 participants from more than 35 nations are expected to attend, including senior officials, diplomats, experts, intellectuals, academics, business leaders, representatives of international organizations and think tanks from the UAE, the region, and beyond.

Prominent speakers include Dr Anwar Gargash, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and more.

The forum will focus on three main areas: geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geotechnology. Discussions will cover strategic options for Gulf states in a complex environment, crisis management, and developing new strategic balances. The future of security frameworks, deterrence policies, and safeguarding maritime routes and supply chains will also be examined. The role of middle powers in shaping globalisation and the international order will be another key topic.

The forum's theme underscores the necessity of reevaluating traditional assumptions about security, cooperation, and global governance. It aims to anticipate future developments, facilitate strategic thinking, and capitalize on emerging opportunities from regional and international transformations.