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ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP):The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) will be holding its annual flagship Dialogue Forum, the “Islamabad Conclave”, on December 3 and 4, marking its 5th Edition, the Conclave’s thematic focus this year is on “Re-imagining South Asia: Security, Economy, Climate, Connectivity.”
The Islamabad Conclave has, in recent years, evolved into a premier Track 1.5 initiative, convening senior members of Pakistan’s leadership alongside eminent scholars, academics, practitioners, and area experts from within the country and abroad, said a press release issued here Sunday.
The Conclave provides a platform to reflect on regional and global developments, evaluate their all-encompassing implications, and suggest forward-looking policy pathways for Pakistan.
At a time when geopolitical flux, economic uncertainty, climate vulnerability, and connectivity deficits are reshaping the strategic landscape, the Islamabad Conclave aims to foster informed debate and propose innovative, cooperative solutions.
South Asia, today, stands at a decisive crossroads. The receding unipolar moment and the rise of multi-polarity have intensified major-power competition, heightened regional fragilities, and transformed traditional and non-traditional security domains. Long-standing unresolved disputes, nuclear brinkmanship, transnational terrorism, climate-induced disasters, and low levels of economic integration continue to constrain the region’s vast potential.
Within this overall context, the Conclave’s central theme is divided into five focused sub-themes Regional Security Order Amid Evolving Multi-polarity, emerging strategic security challenges, transnational terrorism and emerging security challenges in South Asia, economy and climate change and regional connectivity in South Asia.
Following the Inaugural Plenary, each sub-theme will be taken up in separate Working Sessions featuring distinguished speakers from Pakistan and abroad with diverse expertise, enriching the discourse with academic depth, practical experience, and policy relevance.
The Concluding Plenary will draw together the central insights and recommendations emerging from the deliberations.
“This year’s Conclave would be richer in scope, depth, and level of participation,” stated Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood.
He added that renowned academics, practitioners, and thought leaders would share their perspectives on how South Asia must navigate the complex contemporary challenges and find opportunities to build a future of hope, progress and prosperity. “Essentially, this is an exercise in thinking together — re-imaging South Asia in the key realms of security, economy, climate, and connectivity”, he concluded.
The Islamabad Conclave is now well-recognised as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s think-tank-based Track 1.5 policy dialogues. Each edition has expanded the Forum’s intellectual and policy footprint. The Conclave in 2024 focused on “Pakistan and the Evolving Global Order.”
The 5th Edition aims to further elevate this growing legacy by offering nuanced analyses, proposing actionable strategies, and contributing to a more stable, connected, and prosperous South Asia.
Through this platform, ISSI remains committed to promoting dialogue, advancing Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives, and supporting efforts toward cooperative regional solutions.