At the launch of the Griffith Asia Pacific Strategic Outlook 2026, the consensus was clear. If 2025 was a “hinge year,” 2026 marks the year of critical inflection, in which radical transitions in geopolitics, technology, and trade must be addressed.
Christophe Nedopil Wang, Director of the Griffith Asia Institute, and Gloria Ge, Deputy Director, highlighted five emerging risks for 2026, and what they mean for Australia. These risks – all labelled as ‘high likelihood, high impact’ – are climate change, green technology, AI, Donroe Doctrine, and mis/disinformation.
In order to mitigate these risks, urgent adaptive leadership is needed. Rather than resorting to reactive management, leaders must develop proactive strategies that turn disruption into opportunities for growth and collaboration. “Adaptive leadership,” said Christophe, “is using aligned core values as a compass for navigating geopolitical turbulence.”
Across Christophe and Gloria’s presentations, a clear message emerged: solutions are not needed right now, but strategies are. “We have no solutions for climate change, nor AI worries. But we can make strategies to mitigate risks,” Gloria argued. “Australia is in a formidable position because it is wealthy, but also climate vulnerable. We can drive change.” she asserted.
An important takeaway from the evening emerged during the audience Q&A. Answering a question about the new shifts in global geopolitical power, Christophe said, “If you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.”
It emphasises a core necessity for Australia in 2026: to strategically assert its regional resilience and adaptive leadership among shifting global dynamics.
With Asia emerging as a key driver for radical transitions, Australia must ensure that it not only maintains a geopolitical seat at the table, but that it proactively invests in policies that meet Asia’s rapid green technology growth and economic integration.
Written by Rhoen Kennedy
Rhoen Kennedy recently graduated from UQ with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies / Advanced French. With a strong creative background in photography and writing, she will combine her interests in international politics, women’s rights and conflict dynamics with her passion for storytelling and ethical media, beginning a Masters of Journalism at the University of Melbourne later this year.
Edited by Eliza Hodge
