Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) announced the launch of the inaugural Hili Forum during a press conference on Wednesday, marking a significant addition to the UAE’s strategic dialogue landscape.
Scheduled to take place from September 16 to 17, 2024, at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, the flagship forum will bring together over 40 speakers from around the globe and more than 350 participants.
Addressing pivotal global issues, with particular focus on the Middle East, the theme for 2024 is “Emerging Global (Dis)order: Redefine, Reshape, Rebuild”. Over the course of two days, thought leaders, international experts, diplomats and academics will engage in strategic dialogues on the critical challenges and transformations reshaping the world.
Looking ahead to an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge and perspectives at Hili Forum, Dr. Sultan Al-Nuaimi, ECSSR Director General said: “This forum serves as a testament to the effective strategic partnerships forged and exemplified by the genuine collaboration between the ECSSR and Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. The UAE, with its long-standing history in the region, has always been a crossroads for civilisations, trade, and the exchange of knowledge”.
“The Forum’s name emphasises the reality that challenges are shared, and collective action — through the exchange of ideas, opinions, and recommendations — has become essential for thinkers and experts. This collaboration is crucial for achieving sustainable peace and security, which, in turn, drives development and serves the interests of nations and peoples,” he added.
Nickolay Mladenov, AGDA Director-General, highlighted the significance of the forum as a platform for global engagement and strategic dialogue.
“The Hili Forum presents a unique platform for global and regional voices to engage in meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues of our time. It offers an opportunity to connect with thought leaders and decision-makers, fostering collaboration and innovation as we collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities shaping the future.
“I look forward to the exchange of diverse perspectives that will not only deepen our understanding but also guide actionable solutions for a more stable, prosperous, and secure world.”
The 2024 Hili Forum will delve into three essential thematic areas for understanding the evolving global landscape. Geopolitics will be explored through an examination of significant shifts and the emergence of new power dynamics. The forum will also analyse geoeconomics, focusing on economic fragmentation and protectionism amid the challenges of globalisation. Another key topic is Geotech, focused on exploring how transformative technologies impact global power, security, and competitiveness.
The forum will open with high-profile keynote addresses, including a ministerial keynote, setting the stage for the discussions to follow. It will feature 16 in-depth sessions that explore the complex factors driving pivotal global and regional issues. The forum’s dynamic format will include interactive panel discussions and concurrent breakout sessions.
In addition to presenting the latest research, analysis, and trends in geopolitics, geoeconomics, and geotech, the Hili Forum will offer strategic policy recommendations based on its analyses and discussions.
Named after the historically significant Hili region in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the Forum honours the area’s legacy as a crossroad of cultural and knowledge exchange dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Drawing on this legacy, Hili Forum brings together thought leaders and experts from around the globe for a broad spectrum of perspectives on the critical issues facing the world today.
