--- title: "GSTS 2026 — Riyadh | Model Diplomat" description: "Global Security and Technology Summit (GSTS) 2026 is a professional conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec 18–20, 2026." url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/conferences/professional/global-security-and-technology-summit-gsts-2026" --- # Global Security and Technology Summit (GSTS) 2026 Dec 18–20, 2026[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1\&query=Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia)In-person [Registration open](https://english.aawsat.com/technology/5282866-riyadh-host-global-security-and-technology-summit-december-2026) The Global Security and Technology Summit (GSTS) is set to convene in Riyadh, SAU, offering a platform for discussions at the nexus of global security and technological advancement. This event aims to bring together experts and leaders to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of international security, covering a broad spectrum of topics from cybersecurity to the strategic implications of artificial intelligence. The summit's location in SAU underscores the growing role of the Middle East in global technology and security dialogues. ## Committees & topics - Topics Governing State Conduct in Cyberspace · International Governance of Artificial Intelligence · Smart Surveillance Technologies and Human Rights · Technology-Enabled Crisis Management and Response ## Why it matters The GSTS holds significant importance as it addresses the critical and rapidly evolving intersection of technology and global security. In an era where digital threats can have real-world consequences, and technological innovations are constantly redefining defense and intelligence capabilities, such a summit provides a crucial forum for strategic foresight and collaboration. Discussions will likely delve into the challenges posed by cyber warfare, the ethical considerations of AI in military applications, and the need for international cooperation to establish norms and regulations in these nascent fields. The outcomes of these conversations could influence policy decisions and foster partnerships aimed at mitigating risks and harnessing technology for global stability. Furthermore, the summit's focus on technology as a driver of security underscores a paradigm shift in international relations. Traditional security frameworks are increasingly insufficient to address threats that originate in cyberspace or are amplified by advanced computing. By convening in Riyadh, SAU, the GSTS also highlights the regional perspectives on these global challenges, offering insights into how different nations perceive and respond to technological advancements in the security domain. This includes examining the role of technology in national defense strategies, critical infrastructure protection, and intelligence gathering, making it a vital event for understanding contemporary security dynamics. ## How to prepare Delegates preparing for the Global Security and Technology Summit should focus on understanding the multifaceted nature of technology's impact on security. A strong grasp of concepts like cybersecurity frameworks, the implications of artificial intelligence, and the geopolitical dimensions of technological competition will be essential. Reviewing the "[Dynamic Analysis](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/dynamic-analysis)" lesson can provide a robust framework for assessing the rapidly changing technological landscape and its security implications. Additionally, understanding the various stakeholders involved, both governmental and private sector, will be crucial for effective engagement, as outlined in the "[Hidden Stakeholders](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/hidden-stakeholders)" and "What Is Stakeholder Mapping?" lessons. Given the international setting in Riyadh, SAU, delegates should also consider the diverse national interests and technological capacities of participating countries. Researching the specific technological advancements and security concerns of key nations, such as USA, CHN, RUS, and ISR, will be beneficial. Preparing to engage with different perspectives on technology governance and security cooperation will be vital for productive discussions. The "Engagement Strategies" lesson offers valuable insights into navigating complex international dialogues and fostering collaborative outcomes. ## Country perspectives Where the most-relevant 5 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile. [Saudi Arabia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [Host nation, keen to showcase its growing technological capabilities and its role in regional security.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [SAU is positioning itself as a hub for technological innovation and security dialogue in the Middle East. Its hosting of the GSTS reflects its strategic interest in leveraging advanced technologies for national security and economic diversification, while also seeking to influence regional and global discussions on technology governance.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [A leading developer and user of advanced security technologies, focused on maintaining technological superiority and addressing cyber threats.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [The USA is a major player in both technology development and global security. Its perspective will likely emphasize the importance of open innovation, responsible AI development, and international cooperation to counter state-sponsored cyberattacks and technological espionage. The USA will also likely advocate for standards and norms that align with its democratic values.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [A rapidly advancing technological power, focused on integrating civilian and military technology and securing its digital sovereignty.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [CHN's approach to technology and security is characterized by a strong emphasis on indigenous innovation and the fusion of civil and military technologies. Its participation will likely highlight its advancements in AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, while also advocating for a multilateral approach to global technology governance that respects national sovereignty.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [A significant actor in cyber warfare and information security, focused on strategic technological independence and countering perceived Western influence.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [RUS is a prominent actor in the cyber domain, often associated with sophisticated cyber operations. Its perspective at the summit will likely center on national security interests, the development of sovereign digital infrastructure, and the need for international agreements that prevent the weaponization of information and communication technologies.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Israel](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [A global leader in cybersecurity and defense technology, focused on innovation for national security in a volatile region.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [ISR is renowned for its advanced defense and cybersecurity industries. Its insights will likely focus on practical applications of technology for national security, including intelligence gathering, border protection, and counter-terrorism, drawing from its extensive experience in a complex geopolitical environment.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) ## Topics & background The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it. 1 ### Governing State Conduct in Cyberspace Cybersecurity emerged as a top-tier international issue in the 2000s as states began conducting espionage, sabotage, and influence operations through digital networks. Landmark incidents — the 2007 distributed denial-of-service attacks on Estonia, the Stuxnet operation against Iran's Natanz facility around 2010, the 2014 Sony Pictures intrusion, the 2017 WannaCry and NotPetya outbreaks attributed respectively to North Korean and Russian actors, and the 2020 SolarWinds supply-chain compromise — exposed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the difficulty of attributing attacks under international law. In parallel, ransomware campaigns targeting hospitals, pipelines (Colonial Pipeline, 2021), and municipal systems have blurred the line between criminal and state-backed activity. UN efforts to develop norms have proceeded through the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs. Consensus reports in 2013 and 2015 affirmed that existing international law, including the UN Charter, applies in cyberspace, and proposed voluntary norms such as not targeting critical infrastructure. However, deep disagreements persist: Western states emphasize applying existing law and protecting an open internet, while Russia, China, and aligned states have pushed for a new binding treaty and a more state-centric model of 'information security' that encompasses content control. A UN cybercrime convention was adopted by the General Assembly in late 2024 amid concern from rights groups over its scope. Today the agenda is dominated by ransomware governance, protection of critical infrastructure and undersea cables, supply-chain security, the proliferation of commercial spyware (e.g., Pegasus), and the cyber dimensions of active conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Capacity-building for developing states, public attribution mechanisms, and the application of international humanitarian law to cyber operations remain unresolved flashpoints. Key players - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Leading offensive and defensive cyber power; champions a rules-based, multi-stakeholder internet.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) - [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Major cyber actor advocating 'cyber sovereignty' and state-led internet governance.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) - [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Pushes for a new binding treaty and broader 'information security' framing; linked to high-profile intrusions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) - [North Korea](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/north-korea) [Conducts financially motivated cyber operations, including cryptocurrency theft, to evade sanctions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/north-korea) - [Israel](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [Cyber-industrial hub and home to leading commercial spyware vendors.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) - [Estonia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/estonia) [Norm entrepreneur post-2007 attacks; hosts NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/estonia) 2 ### International Governance of Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence moved from a research field to a strategic technology in the 2010s as advances in deep learning, compute, and data enabled rapid commercial deployment. The 2022 release of large generative models intensified policy debate over safety, bias, intellectual property, labor displacement, disinformation, and the dual-use risks of frontier systems. States have since raced to position themselves: the United States issued an Executive Order on AI in 2023 (rescinded and reframed in 2025), the European Union adopted the AI Act in 2024 as the first comprehensive horizontal regulation, and China has implemented rules on recommendation algorithms, deep synthesis, and generative AI. International coordination has accelerated but remains fragmented. The UK hosted the first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in 2023, followed by summits in Seoul (2024) and Paris (2025), producing declarations on frontier-model risk and the creation of national AI Safety Institutes. The UN General Assembly adopted its first AI resolution in March 2024, and the Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body issued recommendations including a global AI scientific panel. Meanwhile, debate continues at the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons over lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), where a majority of states favor binding rules but several major military powers prefer non-binding measures. Core disputes include export controls on advanced chips and model weights, the balance between innovation and precaution, who sets safety standards for frontier models, how to ensure equitable access for the Global South, and whether AI governance should sit within the UN, the OECD/G7 Hiroshima Process, or new bespoke institutions. Compute, data, and talent concentration in a handful of states and firms underpins the geopolitical stakes. Key players - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Hosts leading frontier labs; leverages chip export controls and bilateral safety agreements.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) - [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Pursues AI self-sufficiency; promotes the Global AI Governance Initiative as an alternative framework.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) - [United Kingdom](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Convened the first AI Safety Summit; established a national AI Safety Institute.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) - [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Hosted the 2025 AI Action Summit; pushes a pro-innovation European stance within the EU AI Act.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) - [Japan](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [Led the G7 Hiroshima AI Process establishing a code of conduct for advanced AI developers.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) - [United Arab Emirates](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-arab-emirates) [Major Gulf investor in AI compute and Arabic-language models; bridges US and Chinese ecosystems.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-arab-emirates) 3 ### Smart Surveillance Technologies and Human Rights Smart surveillance — encompassing facial recognition, biometric identification, AI-driven video analytics, location tracking, and commercial spyware — has spread rapidly since the 2010s as costs have fallen and machine learning has improved. Chinese firms such as Hikvision, Dahua, and Huawei have become major exporters of integrated 'safe city' systems, while Western and Israeli vendors dominate the commercial spyware market. Investigations by Citizen Lab, Amnesty International, and journalistic consortia (notably the 2021 Pegasus Project) documented the use of NSO Group's Pegasus and similar tools against journalists, opposition figures, and diplomats in dozens of states. Deployments have raised acute concerns. Mass biometric surveillance has been documented in Xinjiang; facial recognition has been used to identify protesters in Hong Kong, Moscow, and Tehran; and 'safe city' exports have proliferated across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, often without robust data-protection frameworks. The United States placed several Chinese surveillance firms on the Entity List, while in 2023 it issued an executive order restricting federal use of commercial spyware that poses counterintelligence or human-rights risks. The EU AI Act restricts certain biometric uses, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for moratoria on the sale and use of surveillance technologies until adequate safeguards are in place. The core dispute pits state arguments around public safety, counterterrorism, and migration management against international human-rights obligations on privacy, freedom of expression, and assembly. Unresolved questions include export-control regimes for surveillance tech, accountability for vendors, redress for victims, and whether biometric mass surveillance in public spaces should be banned outright. Key players - [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Largest exporter of integrated surveillance and 'safe city' systems.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Restricts surveillance exports and commercial spyware while operating extensive signals-intelligence programs.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) - [Israel](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [Home to leading commercial spyware vendors subject to export-licensing controversy.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) - [United Kingdom](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Operator of one of the world's densest CCTV and live facial-recognition deployments in democratic context.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) - [India](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/india) [Runs Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric ID system; expanding facial-recognition policing.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/india) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Drives stricter EU rules on biometric surveillance under the AI Act and GDPR.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) 4 ### Technology-Enabled Crisis Management and Response Crisis management — the coordinated response to natural disasters, pandemics, complex emergencies, and armed conflict — has been transformed by digital tools over the past two decades. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami spurred investment in early-warning systems; the 2010 Haiti earthquake popularized crisis mapping platforms such as Ushahidi and OpenStreetMap's Humanitarian team; and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of genomic surveillance, mobility data, and digital contact tracing. Satellite imagery, drones, AI-driven damage assessment, and social-media analytics now underpin operations by UN OCHA, the IFRC, WFP, and national civil-protection agencies. At the same time, recent crises have exposed structural weaknesses. The COVID-19 response revealed inequities in vaccine and data access; the war in Ukraine demonstrated how commercial satellite imagery and connectivity (e.g., Starlink) can shape both humanitarian and military outcomes; the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes and the 2023–2025 Gaza conflict underscored the difficulty of operating in environments where infrastructure, including telecommunications, has collapsed or been deliberately disrupted. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) and the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All initiative (launched 2022) set the multilateral baseline, while the WHO Pandemic Agreement negotiations have sought to institutionalize lessons from COVID-19. Key disputes today concern data sharing across borders and between humanitarian and military actors, the protection of humanitarian information systems from cyberattack, the role of private technology providers in crises, equitable access to early-warning systems for least-developed and small-island states, and the use of AI for predictive analytics without entrenching bias or undermining humanitarian principles of neutrality and 'do no harm.' Key players - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Largest humanitarian donor; major provider of satellite, logistics, and forecasting capabilities.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) - [Switzerland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/switzerland) [Hosts core humanitarian institutions (ICRC, OCHA, WHO); shapes international humanitarian law.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/switzerland) - [Japan](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [Leader in disaster risk reduction and early-warning technology under the Sendai Framework.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) - [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Expanding role in emergency response, satellite earth observation, and South–South cooperation.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) - [Turkey](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [Frontline state for recent earthquakes and refugee response; key regional humanitarian hub.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) - [Bangladesh](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/bangladesh) [Model for community-based early-warning and climate-adaptation systems in vulnerable states.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/bangladesh) ## Resources News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for Global Security and Technology Summit (GSTS) 2026. Recent reporting to ground your prep [Haryana's Community Farm Tanks for Water](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/haryana-bets-on-community-farm-tanks-to-save-water) [OpenAI, Anthropic Brief Congress on AI Risks](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/openai-and-anthropic-brief-congress-on-ai-cybersecurity-risks) [Congress Targets AI Chatbot Access for Terror](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/congress-seeks-ai-chatbot-access-to-enhance-terrorism-prevention) [Trump White House AI Policy Shift on Mythos](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trump-white-house-recalibrates-ai-policy-amid-anthropics-mythos) Lessons Bite-sized lessons to build the basics [Dynamic Analysis](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/dynamic-analysis) [Hidden Stakeholders](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/hidden-stakeholders) [Engagement Strategies](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/engagement-strategies) [Stakeholder Mapping Workshop](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/stakeholder-workshop) Courses Guided courses that go deeper on the topic [Crisis Management](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/crisis-management) [Advanced Negotiation](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/advanced-negotiation) [Multilateral Negotiation](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/multilateral-negotiation) [Policy Brief Writing](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/policy-brief) The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance [Saudi Arabia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/saudi-arabia) [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [North Korea](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/north-korea) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/north-korea) [Israel](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/israel) [Estonia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/estonia) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/estonia) [United Kingdom](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Japan](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [United Arab Emirates](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-arab-emirates) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-arab-emirates) [India](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/india) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/india) [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Switzerland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/switzerland) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/switzerland) [Turkey](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [Bangladesh](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/bangladesh) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/bangladesh) ## Frequently asked questions - - - Free account Save conferences, research any topic with AI, build position papers, and keep your daily prep streak — free. 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