First speakers announced for ASPI’s Sydney Dialogue on 2-3 September

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is pleased to announce the first speakers for the third Sydney Dialogue for critical, emerging and cyber technologies on 2-3 September 2024.

This year’s event builds on the strong lineup of speakers at the previous two dialogues and will include:

• The Hon Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
• David van Weel, Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, NATO
• Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Executive Director, Digital Futures Lab
• Shigeru Kitamura, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitamura Economic Security Inc.

Other leaders, innovators and top thinkers from across governments, industry and civil society will be announced in the lead-up to the event.

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP, said: “Building resilience to cyber threats is an urgent, global priority – both at home and in our region. Over the last two years, we’ve seen a series of significant cyber incidents across Australia and the region that have had major impacts on governments, economies and communities.

“Australia aims to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and resilience among its government, industry, academia and civil society partners. We must work in tandem with the region to build capacity and long-term resilience to cyber security threats.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Kitamura Economic Security Inc, Shigeru Kitamura, said: “The world is experiencing a fundamental shift in the development and application of advanced technologies. Harnessing the potential of these technologies for collective economic prosperity and national security, while mitigating the risks, relies on frank and forward-looking discussion and debate.

“The Sydney Dialogue provides an excellent platform for this debate. I look forward to contributing to these important discussions in Sydney in September.”

David van Weel, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, said: “Cyberspace is unique in its complexity and constant competition. Emerging disruptive technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, shape cyber defence. Individually, these technologies can have a significant impact on cyber defence. Combined they offer extraordinary potential to transform cyberspace.

“I look forward to discussing at the Sydney Dialogue how NATO harnesses these new technologies and leverages the nexus between cyber and emerging tech in a way that contributes to a stronger and more resilient Alliance and increased security for all.”

The Sydney Dialogue will forecast the technologies of the next decade that will change our societies, economies and national security. It will promote diverse views that stimulate real conversations about the best ways to seize opportunities and minimise risks.

Topics for discussion at this year’s event will include AI, the future technology landscape, digital connectivity, hybrid threats, cybersecurity, disinformation, future warfare, technology and intelligence, climate security and green tech, national resilience and more.

TSD 2024 will be held in person and will feature a mix of keynote addresses, conversation sessions, panel discussions, presentations, closed door meetings and media engagements.

More information on the Sydney Dialogue, including the program, can be found here.