Middle Powers: National Defence & Collective Security —
Strengthening Australia’s sovereignty and national resilience in a contested world
Safeguarding Australia 2026 Summit,
The 22nd Annual Security, Defence & Sovereignty Summit
Why This Summit Matters
As strategic competition intensifies and global order becomes more fragmented, middle powers face growing responsibility for shaping security, stability and collective outcomes.
Australia must navigate a more demanding environment where alliance expectations are evolving, economic and technological competition is sharpening, and national resilience is increasingly central to security.
What the Summit Will Cover
🔹 National Defence and Strategic Environment
Deterrence, force posture and Australia’s role in a contested strategic order
🔹 Collective Security and Strategic Partnerships
AUKUS, Indo-Pacific cooperation and middle power alignment
🔹 Sovereign Capability and Defence Industry
Capability delivery, industrial base and supply chain resilience
🔹 Economic Security and National Resilience
Energy, trade, critical resources and economic statecraft
🔹 Technology and the Strategic Edge
AI, cyber, data and emerging capabilities shaping deterrence
🔹 Whole-of-Nation Resilience and Preparedness
Social cohesion, disruption response and national readiness
View the full summit program and session details.
Summit Overview
A focused national forum on the strategic choices facing Australia as a middle power — from alliances and capability to economic security, technology and national resilience.
Why Attend
🔹 Hear how Australia is navigating a more uncertain strategic environment
🔹 Engage directly with those shaping national security policy and capability
🔹 Understand the risks and trade-offs defining security, technology and economic resilience
🔹 Examine how capability, partnerships and industry must adapt to a more demanding environment
🔹 Be part of the national conversation shaping Australia’s strategic future
Event Details
28 – 29 October 2026
Commonwealth Club, Canberra, Australia
*Summit program is under development, for updates, please subscribe to the mailing list below*