Hili Forum 2026 opens in Abu Dhabi to discuss Gulf security and geopolitics

The third edition of the Hili Forum has commenced in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA). Under the theme ‘Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction’, the event brings together over 1,000 participants and more than 75 speakers from over 35 countries.

The forum focuses on three primary pillars: geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geotechnology. Discussions aim to address regional security architectures, the resilience of energy and trade corridors, and the role of middle powers in the evolving international order.

During the opening, Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Academy, noted that the global order is facing unprecedented pressure, with traditional diplomatic channels struggling to address interconnected conflicts that impact global economies and supply chains. Other sessions have addressed the necessity of international partnerships for Gulf security and shifts in military doctrine.