safeguarding australia summit
The 22nd Annual Security, Defence & Sovereignty Summit
28 - 29 October 2026, Canberra

As power diffuses across regions and major states recalibrate their priorities, middle powers are assuming greater responsibility for shaping regional stability and advancing collective security. We are living through what many describe as a period of strategic rupture. Assumptions of a stable global order no longer hold; middle powers must actively shape the conditions for security in a fractured and increasingly competitive system.

Recent disruptions to global energy supply routes and critical maritime chokepoints further highlight how economic resilience and energy security are now central to national security strategy.

Regional crises continue to test existing deterrence frameworks, while alliance expectations evolve in response to shifting strategic priorities. In this more dynamic and uncertain environment, middle powers like Australia are called upon to strengthen partnerships, safeguard sovereign capability and contribute meaningfully to collective security.

At Davos, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasised that greater coordination, economic strength and strategic clarity will be essential for middle powers navigating this era of competition and complexity.

Theme Introduction

In an era defined by intensifying strategic rivalry, economic fragmentation and growing pressure on global supply chains and energy security, middle powers face new responsibilities in sustaining stability and collective security.

Middle Powers: Collective Security in a World of Competing Spheres
— Australia’s security, sovereignty and strategic agency

Summit Overview

The Safeguarding Australia 2026 Summit, the 22nd Annual Security, Defence & Sovereignty Summit, will explore how Australia can reinforce alliances, align capability with strategy and build national resilience amid shifting alignments and heightened geopolitical tension.

The summit, convened with co-convenors the Department of Defence, Science & Technology Group, the Department of Home Affairs and RMIT’s Centre of Cyber Security Research and Innovation, brings together leaders across government, defence, industry, academia and technology sectors to examine the strategic choices facing Australia as a middle power.

28–29 October in Canberra — where leaders across defence, national security, industry and academia convene to examine the strategic challenges shaping Australia’s security future.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This summit is designed for:

  • Senior leaders across Defence and National Security agencies

  • Policy-makers shaping alliance, capability and economic security settings

  • Defence industry executives and prime contractors

  • Emerging technology innovators in AI, cyber and space

  • Strategic analysts and regional partners

  • Academic leaders and national security researchers advancing policy, innovation and sovereign capability.

*Summit program is under development, for further updates, please subscribe to the mailing list below*

EARLY BIRD RATE — REGISTER NOW
 

Summit Co-Convenors

  • “ Great event, appreciate the organisation, energy and expertise, thank you! ”
    — RAAF, 2025
  • “ Best conference I’ve attended all year, great work. ”
    — Global Shield 2025
  • “ An excellent conference, very worthwhile. Also a great networking opportunity, it was hard to pick the best speakers. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2024
  • “ The conference has arranged for an excellent variety of topics and industry voices, there wasn’t a single presentation I didn’t get something out of!” ”
    — National Security College, ANU, 2024
  • “ A very enjoyable conference. ”
    — AFP, 2023
  • “ An excellent event, a good number of attendees and presenters (neither too many or too few), great venue, excellent presenters. ”
    — DST Group, 2022
  • “ Exploration of solutions (technology, processes etc) were very useful for my purposes, linking business areas of Home Affairs which is where the Tech Surprise Forum was helpful. ”
    — Department of Home Affairs, 2019
  • “ Very interesting and relevant topics. Enjoyed the diverse nature of the attendees and speakers. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2019
  • “ From an information viewpoint, it was extremely interesting. As a manager not involved in the public sector, defence industry or academia, the subjects covered were still vibrant and relevant. Would recommend for our security team. ”
    — Scentre Group, 2018
  • “ A very informative and useful conference. As a Defence employee, I am somewhat isolated from civilian perspectives. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to hear the issues and potential solutions being examined in the civil sector. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2017
  • “ A thoroughly enjoyable conference! ”
    — Crime and Corruption Commission of QLD, 2016

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