Patron and chair: Prof Dr Anita Abbott
APSI Forum is a leading New Zealand forum in strategic partnership and cooperation in international relations.
APSI Forum was established in April 2019 to provide a platform for those in public office, including ambassadors, political leaders, and military leaders, to interact and make crucial security decisions to address current and future challenges. Its aim is to strengthen strategic partnerships and alliances and ensure effective international relations, which is crucial for a collective approach to address global problems. The APSI Forum strategically utilizes geopolitics and diplomacy to cultivate partnerships that shape geopolitical dynamics. Invited participants attending APSI Summit and APSI International Parliamentary Assembly are free to use the information shared during the discussion but must not disclose the identity of the person behind any specific comment. This approach is intended to foster a more open and candid exchange of ideas. To complement its global reach, APSI Forum also maintains a series of specialised hubs that extends its focus into key areas of security and foresight: Europe-Asia Forum Hub, Sea and Air Strategic Forum Hub, and Future Frontlines Forum Hub. While APSI Forum's strength lies in its global community of members and its strategic mission, these hubs provide valuable platforms for deeper engagement, specialised research, and tailored policy dialogue. APSI Forum is also a producer of strategic output that make clarity actionable: exclusive podcasts and strategic briefs for selected partners and sponsors, "Signal and Clarity" for members, and tailored research projects for selected sponsors and partners. APSI Forum does not publish publish classified defence documents, operational plans, or insider military information. All APSI Forum events follow the Chatham House Rule, ensuring candid dialogue and trusted exchange. Its Patron, who has been the driving vision behind the forum since its inception, continues to unite thought leaders, diplomat, policy makers, and innovators, emphasising that APSI Forum's strength lies in its collective wisdom and diverse membership, and cross-regional cooperation . By identifying geopolitical signals that provide strategic clarity and foresights, the Patron positions APSI Forum as a trusted forum where partnerships and alliances are guided with clarity in the midst of volatility. |
Event Information
We are gathering Expressions of interest for our 2026 Event.
Click the link below for more information.
OUR MISSION
APSI Forum supports transformative leadership that promotes cooperation in innovative security models, concepts, frameworks, and technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
APSI Forum encourages the formation of international expert networks through discussion on topics of security, innovation, and security-related civil science.
APSI Forum facilitates cooperation of issues of common interests, including human and social aspects of security.
GET INVOLVED
Summits
APSI has created a world-class forum to bring together global leaders to collaborate and identify effective approaches to security challenges.
The summits are an effort to reach out to world leaders and other key stakeholders in the security sector, to learn purposely from each other and to produce a declaration for those in government and decision making positions. Keep checking back for information on the next Summit.
APSI Global Hub Network
This network enables APSI to anticipate integrate multidisciplinary insights, and cultivate collaborative solutions across continents and domains.
Key functions:
High level roundtables and policy dialogues
Tailored foresight insights for sponsors, partners, and institutions that require early warning and scenario planning
Become an APSI Member
APSI Forum relies on the registration fees and the income from its exclusive podcast
APSI Forum was funded by Asia-Pacific Global Foundation Ltd, Tourism NZ, SWIFT, NATO PDD, and Creative NZ. APSI Forum does not accept funding from any source that seeks to interfere with or influence APSI Forum policies.
The members will need to contribute by sharing their knowledge, expertise, and skills in the forum
The assets and income of the forum are applied solely to further the objectives of APSI Forum.
TESTIMONIALS
"The APSI is a timely and dynamic platform for the advancement of defense and security diplomacy. It uniquely brings together stakeholders from the diplomatic, military and other critical security sectors. APSI is an initiative which contributes to world peace and stability - very much needed in these increasingly uncertain times"
Ambassador Dr Jesus Domingo
" We were delighted with Prof Abbott's geo-political insights and would love to develop some vignettes that could be played out in a forthcoming Command Post Exercise in 2026."
"I thought the choice of subject about innovation and security in the region was entirely topical and relevant given the intensifying geopolitical competition between the great powers in the Pacific. I found the open and informal format of the forum easy to work with especially as a relative new comer to Wellington.” -Samoan High Commissioner, New Zealand
"The recent APSI Forum in Wellington was a welcome chance to discuss some of the critical issues facing New Zealand and other countries in the Indo-Pacific. The ability to sit down with a variety of academics, diplomats, professionals, and others provides a strong foundation to engage topical issues from a range of perspectives. The forum's focus on dialogue between participants is particularly helpful, enabling robust interrogation of ideas which leads to better outcomes. This forum's inclusion of ASEAN perspectives was particularly useful considering ASEAN's central role in the region." - Simon O'Connor, Former MP, New Zealand
“This was an extremely valuable event, with great conversations, and a tremendous opportunity to build global connectivity, foster important relationships, and share experiences in an effort to combat nontraditional, asymmetric security threats around the Indo-Pacific region. It was an honor to be a guest speaker. Well done APSI!”
"Thank you for the invite to speak as the APSI summit. It was a powerful array of people from around the region. I found every presentation as interesting and fascinating as the next. I am particularly unskilled in the political nuance of the area and each speaker brough something new.
I would love that there is an outcome of working collaboration with New Zealand Government and that the APSI committee works together on outcomes even if this is for education purposes only. My only regret is that I was so ill that day and for two weeks afterwards. " - Tony Grasso, Founder of Titanium Defence, New Zealand
"Fantastic stuff - all around. APSI is the only think tank with a "Center of Excellence," that is making a difference in the lives of many.I am extremely thankful that I am on our Team. You all are incredible human beings who make me better - I am blessed to call you my teammates and friends."
SGM Anthony Spadaro
"The meeting and inputs were very interesting, and I look forward to participating in similar events in the future. Unfortunately, I had other engagements that day, as well. And yes, there was definitely room for improvement on the technical front, sound quality..."
- Viktor VavrickaAmbassador, Embassy of Switzerland to New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu
" Highly recommend for anyone interested in Asia-Pacific Security"
Minh Tran, New Zealand
"Excellent initiative, merits to be maintained on an annual basis. A huge variety of topics. Very good, horizon widening and eye opening. Good opportunity to increase the personal network. Very rich side-talks. Mix of representatives of nations, military, civil world and business, companies, to be sustained. Very comfortable location. Great support. Well done!! See you hopefully next year!"
"You put on an important and internationally significant summit. I was honoured to speak and share my Cyber Experience. As New Zealand matures in its understanding of Security you are going to need a bigger venue."
Anthony Grasso, Cyber Toa NZ
"You planned and executed a significant Summit addressing current issues in the Asia Pacific region and it was a privilege to be part of it. Thanks too for the excellent support team you had working in the background - they did a great job. Final thanks for the personal contributions you made in speaking in your area of expertise and study. It was eye-opening. It was the friendliest Conference/Summit I think I have attended and much of it was your personal relationship with many of the speakers and the tone that was set early on. A really huge effort but well worth it."
Don Lord, Hagar NZ
" The newsletter is truly both first and world class! Thank You for all You Do! Many Blessings and Best Always! "
David Gouin, Stuttgard, Germany
"I like the newsletter very much! What a debacle. It is a classic situation of patience and cunningly executed strategy...it just shows how carefully one must define 'strength' and 'weakness'....You write so well, and layer the narrative in such an accomplished way "
Murray Bays, Auckland, New Zealand
"I can't thank you enough for the opportunity to participate. It was easily the most enjoyable of all the presentations I have participated in. You, and your team are all remarkable and dearly appreciated. "
Paul Cobaugh, VP at the Narrative Strategies
"The newsletter is very good. I would agree that the Taliban had a strategy that aligned with their means. The west did not have a clearly defined or aligned strategy. It is a problem with the west at the moment. I would offer that the base that the Taliban had in Pakistan allowed to sustain their strategy for two decades. Without it, they would not have succeeded...."
Brigadier Mark Brewer, Australia
"Thank you for the opportunity! APSI is a terrific organization and I’d love to be involved going forward!"
Hunter Stires, Fellow at Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research, U.S. Naval War College
“I really appreciate receiving your newsletters and your excellent analysis”
Lieutenant General Leo Konsinski, USAF
" Very interesting! Great experience! Lots of valuable information. Perfect organization! I truly enjoyed it!
You wrote such a great newsletter, so interesting to read, accurate, and very topical. You are just a wonderful leader!”
Dr Vira Ratsyborynska, Adjunct Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
"Congratulations! An outstanding and very productive conference. It was an honor and privilege for me to speak. And it was a top opportunity to meet so many great people. I learned a lot. Thank you, Anita and team. Go for 2020!"
MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann, Germany
“ I am grateful to be part of APSI. I was frustrated because of the work that involves team work around the world. But, Anita is very patient in guiding me. I found honesty, integrity, and good team work are evident in APSI."
Anung Prasta, Indonesia
"Thank you very much for allowing me on your journey"
David Phillips, New Zealand
"My first appearance and participation in the International Parliamentary Assembly (IPA) has been extremely satisfying. There was immense room for exchange of expertise and experience on all subject matter with high profile participants...."
Tenzin Doring (MP Tibet Government in Exile)
“This was an extremely valuable event, with great conversations, and a tremendous opportunity to build global connectivity, foster important relationships, and share experiences in an effort to combat nontraditional, asymmetric security threats around the Indo-Pacific region. It was an honor to be a guest speaker. Well done APSI!”
"Great opportunity to engage and discuss from different perspectives. Thank you." Rinesh Sharma, MP
"I am very humble to participate in this forum as I learn and gain a lot of knowledge about other countries. It's a good experience, too. I hope think tanks will speak and write more on Tibet issues." Tsering Dolma, MP
"Thank you for organising this kind of forum. Please continue this deep conversation...." Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New Zealand.
"I enjoyed my time at the summit and felt well looked after and respected. Thank you" - Joan Shi, New Zealand
"It was great listening to the panel experts discuss narratives. It definitely was amazing to be part of that. To be in the same room with so many brilliant people!!!" - Christian Martin, USA
"Really enjoyed the panel discussion on Geopolitical Narratives and the powerful insights from the group. Thanks for your leadership for APSI!" - Lt Gen Leo Kosinski (Ret)
".....the report is good....very satisfied with the assessment on Shigeru, the content, pages, and your response speed...."
"Another great and inspiring APSI event! Meaningful discussions, horizon-widening talks and a fantastic opportunity to learn more and to understand better!! Thank you Anita Abbott and team for this remarkable opportunity"
"It was great to join you all and for what was very insightful and important dialogue." Simon O'Connor, Former Member of Parliament, New Zealand
"The summit was very interesting - thanks for inviting me. I learned a lot about Asia Pacific security, and NZ’s role in this area. I particularly appreciated hearing from Gert-Johannes, and from the Taiwanese ambassador. I’m in touch with a colleague of Gert-Johannes, as a result of our discussions. I have also never heard so many verses of the NZ national anthem! I would suggest that in future, the first two verses may suffice!" -
Alistair Knott, Victoria University of Wellington
APSI Forum received 2019 Event Awards from Tourism NZ
Contact Us
info@apsisummit.com
