2026 Edition · Preliminary programme
Two days. One strategic agenda.
Across two days, plenary sessions and workshops connect geopolitical analysis with practical fields of German–European–Gulf cooperation. Selected side events are accessible by personal invitation only. This is a preliminary programme; programme items and speakers that are not yet final are clearly marked and remain subject to change.
- Day 1
- 21 September
- Day 2
- 22 September
- Venue
- JW Marriott Hotel Berlin, Stauffenbergstr. 26, 10785 Berlin
Programme structure
Timeline and session formats
Filter the published programme by theme, format and access level.
Status note: This is the preliminary programme. Programme items and speakers that are not yet confirmed are marked (tbc.) and remain subject to change.
Main Programme
A regular part of the congress programme.
VIP Session
Reserved for the designated VIP participant group.
By Invitation Only
Side event requiring a separate personal invitation.
12 preliminary sessions shown
30 min
30 min
Welcome Addresses
Welcome addresses include H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Honorary Chairman of the Conference, and a video message by Dr. Markus Söder.
Berlin ASecurity and Geopolitics
Dr. Otto Wiesheu · Dr. Markus Söder · H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud · Ali Aslan
View session15 min
Spotlight
Ali Aslan in conversation with the Honorary Chairman of the Conference, H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Berlin ASecurity and Geopolitics
H.R.H. Prince Turki AlFaisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud · Ali Aslan
View session30 min
Keynote Speeches
Keynote perspectives from political representatives of the Gulf states and Germany. Participants marked tbc. remain subject to confirmation.
Berlin ASecurity and Geopolitics
Omid Nouripour · Hans-Georg Engelke · Serap Güler (tbc.)
View session105 min
VIP Panel Discussion I: Cooperation in Volatile Times, Deepening Strategic Partnership
A high-level discussion on foreign policy and strategic partnership between Germany, Europe and the Gulf states.
Berlin ASecurity and Geopolitics
Co-ChairsAmbassador (ret.) Bernd Mützelburg · H.E. Dr. Ahmed Albanna
SpeakersAlexander Radwan · Stephan Mayer · Ambassador (ret.) Dieter Lamlé · Prof. Dr. Saad Bin Tiflah Al Ajmi · Prof. Dr. Volker Perthes · Mohammed Abdul Rahman Baharoon · Tamim Izzaoui
90 min
VIP Panel Discussion II: Cooperation in Policy Fields
Security policy, mediation and conflict management, public and cultural diplomacy, and economic cooperation in industry, digitalisation, AI, technology, research and development.
Berlin ASecurity and Geopolitics · Diplomacy, Society and Human Capital · Economy, Technology and Resilience
ChairDr. Cinzia Bianco
SpeakersLamya Kaddor · H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri · Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi · Clemens Hach · H.E. Ahmed Ebrahim A. Rahman Alqarainees · H.E. Ambassador Saad M. Alarify · Sonja Neuweiler · Sascha Tomaczewski · Abdulla Aljenaid
60 min
Lunch Break
Parallel formats
Parallel programme block
Parallel workshop group
Cooperation and Partnership in Conflict Management and Mediation
Salon 2Security and Geopolitics · Diplomacy, Society and Human Capital
ChairDr. Oliver Wils
SpeakersAbdullah Hamidaddin · Sheikh Fawaz Al-Sabah · Khalid Alshimmari · Johannes Sender (tbc.) · Franziska Seethaler
EU-GCC Partnership as an Engine for a Middle East–Gulf Process on Cooperation and Security
In cooperation with the European Programme of Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Gulf Research Center Foundation Brussels. The workshop examines lessons from subregional cooperation, three EU-GCC tasks—protection, diplomacy and interconnectivity—and concrete projects that could be implemented together.
Salon 4+5Security and Geopolitics · Diplomacy, Society and Human Capital
Co-ChairsChristian Hanelt · Dr. Christian Koch
SpeakersJean-Charles Van Eeckhaute · H.E. Ambassador Saad M. Alarify · Mohammed Abdul Rahman Baharoon
Potentials of Cooperation in the Security and Defence Industries
A platform for exchange between German and Gulf Arab security and defence industries and representatives from security policy.
Salon 3Security and Geopolitics · Economy, Technology and Resilience
Co-ChairsElisabeth Hauschild · Ambassador (ret.) Bernd Mützelburg
15 min
Coffee Break
Parallel formats
Parallel programme block
Parallel workshop group
The Role of Media in Mutual Understanding and the Formation of Public Opinion
Guiding questions: Conflict and war - still the main story from the Middle East? What drives our reporting, what constrains it and what do we miss? Why can critical journalism be an asset?
Salon 2Diplomacy, Society and Human Capital
ChairKlaus-Dieter Frankenberger
SpeakersProf. Dr. Sabine Schiffer · Dr. Rainer Hermann · Robert Chatterjee · Susanne Koelbl