Riyadh to host month-long Global Security & Technology Summit program

Saudi Arabia’s Global Security & Technology Summit will roll out a month of events across the kingdom before its December 2026 main summit in Riyadh. The program aims to build national security and technology capabilities, showcase innovation, and expand international cooperation.

Why it matters: - GSTS is designed to link national security goals with technology development, putting Riyadh and Saudi Arabia in a larger role as a regional hub for security innovation. - The program spreads activity across 13 Saudi regions, broadening participation beyond the main summit in the capital. - The events are meant to build skills, surface talent, and connect government, industry, academia, and researchers around practical security solutions.

What happened: - The GSTS Organizing Committee held an introductory session at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Riyadh on Oct. 24, 2026. - Representatives from government, private, nonprofit, and media sectors attended the session. - The committee unveiled a three-part program: GSTS Month from Nov. 1-30, 2026; the Global Security & Innovation Fair, or SAIF, from Nov. 24-26, 2026; and the main summit from Dec. 18-20, 2026. - The summit will be held in Riyadh under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. - HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, is supervising the event. - The Ministry of Interior is organizing GSTS with Tuwaiq Academy.

The details: - GSTS Month will include working groups, boot camps, training programs, knowledge-sharing sessions, and technical workshops. - Those activities will run across Saudi Arabia’s 13 administrative regions, both in person and remotely, with specialized entities. - The month-long program is intended to develop national capabilities, identify emerging talent, expand knowledge-sharing, and prepare professionals to address future security and technology challenges. - The main summit will bring together global leaders, decision-makers, experts, and innovators. - Summit discussions will focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart security solutions, emerging technologies, and crisis management. - The event will also include main sessions, specialized discussions, and interactive exhibitions. - Registration for the summit is available at gsts.sa. - SAIF will be held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. - SAIF will showcase innovations and projects across 14 fields of technology and innovation. - The fair is aimed at innovators, researchers, technology talent, and industry experts from around the world. - Students, graduates, and entrepreneurs will be able to meet project owners and explore the stages of innovation development. - SAIF will include interactive zones, panel discussions, and workshops led by specialists. - Visitor registration is open at saifair.sa. - The summit is produced by Tahaluf. - The Ministry of Education is the Strategic Scientific Partner. - Tahakom is the Founding Partner. - Elm is the Principal Partner.

Between the lines: - GSTS is being positioned as more than a conference. The structure suggests an effort to turn the summit into a year-round talent, training, and partnership platform. - The heavy focus on skills, research translation, and digital transformation signals a push to connect academic output with operational security needs. - The broad partner list shows the government is using the summit to convene multiple parts of the ecosystem around a shared national agenda. - Altowayan said the summit builds on Saudi Arabia’s effort to create an advanced security and technology ecosystem centered on knowledge and innovation. - Altowayan also said the summit is meant to strengthen cooperation, anticipate future developments, and support strategic partnerships that improve the efficiency and readiness of security systems. - Abdulaziz Alhammadi said the programs are designed to enhance national skills, encourage innovation, and support international cooperation.

What's next: - GSTS Month begins Nov. 1, 2026, with programming across the kingdom. - SAIF follows on Nov. 24-26, 2026, in Riyadh. - The main summit takes place Dec. 18-20, 2026, in Riyadh. - Organizers are continuing to accept registrations for participants inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

The bottom line: - Saudi Arabia is building a multi-week security and technology platform that blends training, exhibition, and high-level policy discussion into one coordinated program.