Organizers of the third edition of Yerevan Dialogue have announced the key themes of the international forum to be held on May 5–6 in the Armenian capital. Yerevan Dialogue 2026 will convene senior government representatives, the private sector, NGOs, academia, youth, and other stakeholders immediately following the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, to advance discussions on shared challenges facing Europe as a community of values and its wider neighborhood, and to address pressing challenges across different regions of the world.

Following the success of its first two editions, the Yerevan Dialogue seeks to deepen strategic conversations and foster practical collaboration among a broad spectrum of participants from diverse backgrounds and levels of responsibility. The goal is to make tangible progress on the pressing threats and challenges of today’s world.

“There is an urgent need for joint action to address the rapidly changing global environment, marked by political polarization, the erosion of multilateral systems, weakening of the rules-based international order, regional fragmentation, alarming levels of ecological decline, and the systemic challenges that democracies face,” organizers said on the forum’s official website.

“These actions should focus on strengthening democratic systems, reinforcing regional interconnectedness, reevaluating and fundamentally revising climate agendas, and adopting innovative approaches toward national and regional resilience.”

Key Themes of Yerevan Dialogue 2026:

Beyond Geopolitical Divides

In an era marked by renewed strategic competition, transnational risks and geopolitical divides, ensuring security and stability, while reinforcing democracy, human rights and the rule of law remain a core priority for many countries across the different regions. Regional conflicts, the erosion of the rules-based international order are placing pressure on democratic institutions, public trust and social cohesion.

As great-power rivalry intensifies and geopolitical competition reshapes alliances, rules, and regions, the viability of the existing global and regional order is increasingly contested. This theme will examine the erosion of multilateralism and international law, the security dilemmas of small and medium-sized states, and the emergence of competing regional orders. It will further question whether norms and institutions can constrain power, or whether power itself is becoming the primary currency of global affairs.

To address these challenges, stronger institutions, resilient societies and closer cooperation among and within the regional institutions, newly created and existing international formats are essential to safeguard the peace and prosperity on a global scale. Economic and political cooperation and regional interdependence, rooted in the principles of sovereignty, mutual respect and open dialogue, provides the indispensable framework for de‑escalation, strengthening peace where established, further confidence‑building and resilient development.

EU Enlargement and European Integration

The European Union’s enlargement process stands at a critical juncture, with candidate countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership region pursuing integration or closer partnership amid complex geopolitical pressures.

As the EU reconsiders its enlargement strategy, questions arise about the pace, conditionality, and transformative potential of accession processes.

This theme will examine the opportunities and challenges of EU expansion, including sectoral integration, democratic reforms, economic convergence, and the implications of enlargement for member states, candidate countries and the broader European neighborhood. Discussions will focus on practical pathways to advance integration, connectivity, address reform fatigue, strengthen institutional capacity in aspiring member states, and ensure that enlargement serves as a tool for stability, prosperity, and democratic consolidation.

Global Connectivity

Inclusive connectivity through open borders, efficient transport routes, trade deals and fully functioning infrastructure is essential for fostering regional peace, cooperation, and economic integration. The unhindered movement of people, goods, and services serves as a cornerstone of mutual prosperity, particularly for landlocked developing countries where access to markets is often limited.

However, numerous challenges persist, including structural impediments, politically motivated restrictions, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which constrain regional collaboration. In this regard, the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), as an integral part of the Crossroads for Peace project, could become a regional infrastructure development catalyst. By integrating with major global connectivity initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) and the EU’s Global Gateway, and through fostering regional unblocking it has the potential to contribute significantly to a more resilient global trade network, delivering meaningful benefits to the peoples of the regions involved.

Democratic Resilience, Hybrid Threats and AI

In recent years, the rapid advancement of technology, combined with increasingly sophisticated methods of coordinated disruptive actions, has intensified hybrid threats worldwide. These include, but are not limited to, disinformation campaigns and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), increasingly amplified through artificial intelligence. These threats pose significant risks not only to the democratic governance of states but also to their sovereignty and territorial integrity. A core objective of such hostile activities is to polarize and divide societies, weaken internal stability and security, and erode trust in public institutions, thereby undermining the overall resilience of state institutions. Addressing hybrid threats in an AI-driven information environment requires a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach, as well as genuine cooperation among like-minded states that uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, and remain committed to maintaining a rules-based international order.

Green Transition

The global transition toward sustainable and environmentally responsible economic practices is no longer an option but an imperative. Climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and the balancing of ecological and economic priorities require bold, innovative approaches, strengthened international cooperation, and the effective mobilization of climate finance. These efforts are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and securing a livable planet for future generations.

The upcoming 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) will address issues related to implementing effective conservation strategies and taking urgent action to halt biodiversity loss. It will also promote synergies with the other Rio Conventions to better respond to the cross-cutting, and often shared challenges outlined above.

Tech and Security Architecture

Security industry has a crucial role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and driving technological innovation for national resilience. Discussions will center on harmonizing state security needs with private sector agility, specifically in integrating AI, cyber-defense, and surveillance technologies within a framework of democratic oversight and ethical governance. The objective is to establish robust public-private partnerships that enhance collective security capabilities while ensuring accountability and adherence to international norms.

The Yerevan Dialogue 2026 will serve as an important opportunity to reflect, engage, and collaborate in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. By focusing on geopolitical trends, democratic resilience and hybrid threats, connectivity as well as green transition, the forum aims to foster a shared understanding for a stable, sustainable, secure and more peaceful future for the region and beyond.

Hosted by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 will be held under the motto Riding Through the Storms.