The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) have launched the third edition of the annual Hili Forum, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on September 7 and 8.

The forum will be held under the theme “Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction” at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

Jointly organized by ECSSR and AGDA, the forum reflects both institutions’ shared interest in examining the major regional and international transformations reshaping the global landscape and exploring the strategic choices that will shape the Gulf’s future amid intensifying regional tensions, economic shifts and rapid technological change.

The third edition is expected to bring together more than 55 speakers and over 1,000 participants 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.

The forum will feature a distinguished group of speakers, including Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Advisor to His Majesty the King of Bahrain for Diplomatic Affairs and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden;  Vuk Jeremić, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia; Yoo Jeh Seung, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE; Lieutenant General Stefano Mannino, President of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies (CASD) of the Italian Republic; and Jean-Yves Le Gall, former President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). -TradeArabia News Service