The third edition of Hili Forum 2026 will open in Abu Dhabi next Monday, bringing together government officials, policymakers, academics and international experts to examine the security, economic and technological shifts affecting the Gulf region and the international system.
The two-day forum will be held under the theme “The Gulf at a Crossroads: Conflict, Repercussions and Course Correction,” and jointly organised by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.
Speakers include Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the UAE; Jassim Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Diplomatic Adviser to the King of Bahrain; Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; and Sultan Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
Also taking part are Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy; Ahmed Mohammed Al Remeithi, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy; Samir Saran, President of Observer Research Foundation in India; Stefano Mannino, President of the Italian Centre for Higher Defence Studies; and Jean-Yves Le Gall, former president of the International Astronautical Federation.
The participants also include Yoo Jae-sung, South Korea’s former ambassador to the UAE; Vuk Jeremić, Serbia’s former foreign minister; and Carl Bildt, Sweden’s former prime minister and foreign minister.
The first day’s programme will focus on shifts in the Gulf region and the international system, with sessions addressing the complexities of the Gulf security architecture, the new geoeconomic landscape and Gulf states’ relations with the world amid ongoing changes, alongside discussions with officials and other participants.
The second day will address shifts in the geotechnological system, the impact of data and drones on influence dynamics, and the role of middle powers in the international system. The programme will also include parallel sessions covering political, security, economic and technological issues.
The forum’s sessions will examine the future of security frameworks, deterrence policies and the security of vital maritime corridors, as well as the resilience of supply chains, trade and energy. Participants will also discuss the options available to Gulf states for managing crises and responding to changing balances of power and the interests of major powers.
According to the forum’s background material, the discussions aim to develop shared visions for the Gulf’s future, anticipate possible scenarios, and strengthen partnerships and dialogue across sectors. They come as regional developments affect international security, energy markets and global trade chains.
The forum takes its name from the historic Hili area in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain, which served as a crossroads for trade routes and cultural exchange during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Its third edition brings together representatives from multiple sectors and disciplines to exchange views on regional and international shifts.
