Dubai: The third edition of the annual Hili Forum begins tomorrow (September 7), organised by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA).

Taking place from September 7 to 8, under the theme ‘Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction’, the forum will bring together more than 60 speakers from more than 35 countries, including senior officials, policymakers, diplomats, experts, thought leaders, academics and business leaders, as well as representatives of international organizations and think tanks from the UAE, the region and around the world.

Why Hili?

Hili has a historical and enduring legacy of exchange and Connectivity. It is a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, home to the Grand Tomb, which is over 4,000 years old.

More than a landmark, Hili was a crossroads of civilisations and commerce, where cultures met and communities thrived.

Building on this legacy, the Hili Forum reimagines Hili as a platform for the future. It aims to serve as the UAE’s flagship forum for dialogue on the critical geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geotechnology issues shaping the world, with a particular focus on the Middle East.

Significance of the forum

This year’s forum takes place at a pivotal moment for the Gulf and the evolving international order. With more than 20 sessions and more than 60 speakers, the forum will examine the major regional and international changes reshaping the global landscape and exploring the strategic choices that will shape the Gulf’s future amid regional economic shifts and rapid technological change.

The Forum’s agenda is organised around three principal pillars: geopolitics, geoeconomics and geotechnology.

This year’s Forum will examine how Gulf states can navigate an increasingly complex strategic environment while contributing to a more resilient and stable regional order. Discussions will explore the future of regional security architectures and deterrence, the resilience of critical trade and energy corridors, the growing convergence of technology and geopolitics, and the role of middle powers in shaping the next phase of the international system.

The theme reflects the need to rethink established assumptions about security, cooperation and global governance in an era of accelerating geopolitical change. It calls for strategic foresight, constructive dialogue and practical policy solutions to manage emerging risks while identifying new opportunities for regional and international collaboration.

Who will be speaking at the forum?

The Forum will feature a distinguished group of speakers, including:

  • H.E. Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President
  • H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
  • H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Advisor for Diplomatic Affairs
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
  • H.E. Nickolay E. Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy
  • H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Belajer Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy
  • Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
  • H.E. Lieutenant General Stefano Mannino, President of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies (CASD) of the Italian Republic
  • H.E. Jean-Yves Le Gall, former President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
  • H.E. Yoo Jeh Seung, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE
  • H.E. Vuk Jeremić, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
  • H.E. Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden

By bringing together leaders, policymakers, thinkers, academics and business leaders, Hili Forum 2026 will seek to forge strategic partnerships, foster cross-sector dialogue and discuss future scenarios for a rapidly evolving regional and global landscape.