Nationwide GSTS Month, the SAIF innovation fair and the main summit form a three-part program running from November to December
The Organizing Committee of the Global Security & Technology Summit (GSTS) has unveiled the program leading up to the summit. It is being held in Riyadh in December under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The program was introduced at a session at the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters in Riyadh on Saturday, October 24. Representatives from the government, private and nonprofit sectors attended.
The summit is supervised by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior. It is organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy.
Three stages, one program
The committee set out the program’s three parts:
- GSTS Month: November 1–30, 2026.
- The Global Security & Innovation Fair (SAIF): November 24–26.
- The main Summit: December 18–20 in Riyadh.
Together, they aim to advance security and technology innovation, build national capabilities and expand international cooperation.
GSTS Month will run across all 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom, both in person and online, with specialized entities. It will include working groups, boot camps, training programs, knowledge-sharing sessions and technical workshops. The aim is to develop national talent and give professionals the skills to build solutions for future security and technology challenges.
SAIF will be held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. It will bring together innovators, researchers, technology talent and industry experts from around the world. Projects will be shown across 14 fields of technology and innovation, and visitors can meet the students, graduates and entrepreneurs behind them. The fair will also have interactive zones, panel discussions on emerging security and innovation trends, and workshops led by specialists.
The Summit will gather global leaders, decision-makers, experts and innovators. Topics include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart security solutions, emerging technologies and crisis management. The program includes main sessions, specialized discussions and interactive exhibitions.
A global platform
Ahmed Altowayan is Advisor to HRH the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee. He said the summit builds on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to create an advanced security and technology ecosystem centered on knowledge and innovation. He described it as a global platform for:
- strengthening cooperation and sharing expertise;
- anticipating future developments;
- building strategic partnerships that improve the efficiency and readiness of security systems.
Eng. Abdulaziz Alhammadi, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said each part of the program has its own role:
- GSTS Month will build national capabilities and discover talent.
- SAIF will give innovators and researchers from around the world a stage for leading technological solutions.
- The Summit will bring leaders and experts together to discuss the future of security and technology and explore new strategic partnerships.
Discussions at the session covered developing national capabilities in security and technology, strengthening students’ technical skills, and turning scientific research into practical solutions. They also covered supporting Saudi companies as they develop security and technology solutions and advance digital transformation.
GSTS is produced by Tahaluf. Its partners are:
- the Ministry of Education, Strategic Scientific Partner;
- Tahakom, Founding Partner;
- Elm, Principal Partner.
Registration for the Summit is open to participants from inside and outside the Kingdom at gsts.sa. Visitor registration for SAIF is at saifair.sa.
