Naval and Military Leadership
Senior naval commanders and military leaders providing strategic and operational perspectives on evolving maritime security challenges.
Voices Shaping the Future of Maritime Security
Meet the naval commanders, government decision-makers, international experts, and industry leaders contributing strategic insight and operational expertise to SIM 2026.
One Forum. The Full Spectrum of Maritime Expertise.
SIM 2026 brings together leaders and specialists whose responsibilities span naval operations, public policy, maritime defense, energy security, critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, research, and international cooperation. Together, they reflect the cross-sector expertise required to address today’s interconnected maritime challenges.
Perspectives from Command to Technology
A distinguished community of speakers connecting operational leadership, public policy, international experience, industry capability, and technical expertise.
Government and Institutional Leadership
Government officials and decision-makers addressing policy, infrastructure protection, national capabilities, and institutional cooperation.
International Delegations and Experts
Representatives and specialists from different countries, institutions, and maritime regions sharing experience and perspectives on common security challenges.
Maritime and Defense Industry Leaders
Executives leading the systems, platforms, services, and capabilities supporting modern maritime security and defense.
Technology and Cybersecurity Experts
Specialists in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, communications, cybersecurity, advanced sensing, subsea systems, and digital infrastructure.
Energy, Logistics, and Infrastructure Leaders
Experts addressing the protection and resilience of maritime energy corridors, ports, transport networks, and global supply chains.
Researchers and Strategic Experts
Academics, researchers, analysts, and subject-matter experts contributing evidence-based research, foresight, and technical insight.
SPEAKERS & PARTICIPANTS
SIM 2026 Speakers
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
His Excellency General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili
Chief of the General StaffSaudi Armed Forces
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
His Excellency Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily
Vice Chief of the General StaffSaudi Armed Forces
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi
Chief of StaffRoyal Saudi Naval Forces
Rear Admiral Prof. Tomasz Ryszard Szubrycht
CommandantPolish Naval Academy
Dr. Christina Schori Liang
Expert in Terrorism, Extremism and Maritime SecurityGeneva Centre for Security Policy
Dr. Sugio Takahashi
Expert in Defense and Security StrategiesNational Institute for Defense Studies
Major General Fahad Hamad Al-Otaibi
Chief Executive OfficerCenter for Defense Strategic Studies and Research
Captain (Ret.) Dr. Gurpreet S. Khurana
Expert in Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific
Prof. Zaili Yang
Expert in Maritime Risk and Transport SystemsLiverpool John Moores University
Dr. Alessio Patalano
Expert in Maritime StrategyKing's College London
Dr. Ihsan Mohammed Bu Haliqa
PresidentJawatha Consulting Center
Dr. Faisal Al-Saaq
Dean of the Faculty of Maritime StudiesKing Abdulaziz University
Prof. Sanjay Chaturvedi
Expert in International Relations in Maritime SecuritySouth Asian University
Mr. Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Fuzai
Expert Researcher, Bahrain Center for StrategicInternational and Energy Studies
Commodore (Ret.) John Aitken
Expert in Seabed Security and Critical Subsea InfrastructureRAND
Mike Constable
President, Infra AnalyticsSingapore
Prof. Tareq Yousef Al-Naffouri
Expert in Maritime Communications and Sensor ResearchKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Dr. Yasir Atalan
Researcher in Global Technology SecurityCenter for Strategic and International Studies
Assoc. Prof. Kashif Naseer Qureshi
Researcher in Cybersecurity, Communications and Artificial IntelligenceUniversity of Limerick
Prof. Dr. Marios Panagiotis Efthymiopoulos
Expert in International Security and Geopolitical StudiesVytautas Magnus University
Prof. Gary Corn
Expert in Military Cyber Law and Cyber StrategyWashington College of Law
Prof. Sadie Creese
Professor of Cybersecurity and Director, Global Cyber Security Capacity CentreUniversity of Oxford
Dr. Omaimah bint Omar Bamasq
Cybersecurity Expert and Empowerment LeaderTransport General Authority
Dr. Mürsel Doğrul
Associate ProfessorTurkish National Defence University
Dr. Ibrahim Tariq Javed
Researcher in Cybersecurity and Emerging TechnologiesUniversity of the Fraser Valley
Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan
Innovation Leader and Research AdvisorKing Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Prof. Lam Kwok Yan
Expert in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Maritime TechnologiesNanyang Technological University
Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini
Expert in Maritime and Space Wireless CommunicationsKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
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SIM 2026
Explore Conversations Shaping Maritime Security
Discover how the Programme connects critical maritime priorities with the leaders and specialists equipped to address them.