The IISS Manama Dialogue 2026 will take place from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton in Bahrain, returning the Middle East's premier security and foreign-policy summit for its 22nd edition.
Convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies with Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dialogue gathers heads of state, ministers, senior officials and business leaders to debate regional security, defence and geopolitical risk. It is one of the most senior government-level gatherings in the region.
Why it matters to executives
While the Manama Dialogue is a security summit rather than a business event, its agenda speaks directly to the risks that now shape corporate strategy in the Middle East. For boards and leaders with regional exposure, the discussions offer high-level intelligence on the political and security environment that underpins investment decisions, from energy security to supply-chain resilience.
The seniority of the government attendance also makes it a rare point of access for executives seeking to understand, at first hand, the direction of regional policy and its implications for their operations.
Event details
Dates: 30 October to 1 November 2026
Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, Manama
Organizer: International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), with Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official site: iiss.org
