The Diplomats' Ball
Gallery
Description
Diplomacy, celebrated.
Once a year, Canberra comes together for the city's most distinguished black-tie evening: The Diplomats' Ball.
This is not an event reserved for accredited diplomats alone. The Ball celebrates diplomacy in its fullest, most modern sense, the idea that representing your country, your culture, or your cause with pride is a practice open to everyone. Over the past decades, diplomacy has stretched far beyond the embassy walls into fashion diplomacy, food diplomacy, sports diplomacy, and law enforcement diplomacy, among many others. The Diplomats' Ball exists to honour every person doing that quiet, often unrecognised work of carrying something larger than themselves into the world.
Who's in the room
Expect an elegant convergence of Canberra's diplomatic corps, government, industry leaders, academics, and community change-makers, all under one roof for one night, dressed to the nines and ready to connect.
This year's guest orator
We're honoured to welcome Steve Killelea AM, founder and Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace and creator of the Global Peace Index. Honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the global peace movement and humanitarian aid, he will deliver this year's oration on diplomacy's role in building a more peaceful world.
The setting
Hosted at the elegant Hotel Realm, Canberra, the evening brings together 400-plus guests for a night of formal celebration, conversation, and connection, the kind of room where new partnerships and old friendships both find their footing.
Why this matters
The Diplomats' Ball is proudly presented by the Public Diplomacy Foundation, a Canberra-based do-tank advancing diplomacy across all sectors and among all ages. We believe diplomacy for all. Diplomatia Omnibus, is more than a motto. It's an invitation.
Dress code: Black tie
Capacity: Limited to 400 guests
Secure your seat at the table, this evening tends to sell out. Join us for a night that celebrates everyone doing the work of diplomacy, in whatever form it takes.
Lineup

Steve Killelea AM | Founder and Executive Chairman, Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP)
The 2026 Pigafetta Oration

Mrs Úrsula Páez | Mezzo-soprano & Choir Director
Music Interlude
The Diplomat's Ball | 5th of December, 2026
- 6:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Guest arrival and registration
- 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Welcome cocktail
- 7:00 pm
Ballroom entry & seating
- 7:05 pm - 7:15 pm
Acknowledgement of country ceremony
- 7:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Opening remarks
- 7:30 pm - 7:45 pm
Group photo
- 7:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Launch presentation | Beer Diplomacy Initiative
Proudly presented by Cypher Brewing Co.
- 8:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Musical interlude
Mrs Úrsula Páez | Mezzo-soprano & Choir Director
- 8:30 pm - 8:45 pm
The 2026 Pigafetta Oration | Steve Killelea AM
Steve Killelea AM is an accomplished Australian IT entrepreneur, author, and global philanthropist best known for his pioneering work in quantifying the economic value of peace. After building a highly successful career in high-technology business development—most notably founding Integrated Research (IR), a publicly-listed global performance monitoring software company—he shifted his focus toward global sustainable development and humanitarian aid. Steve has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his substantial contributions to the global peace movement and his development of quantitative measures for peace.
- 8:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Launch presentation | Little Envoys
Proudly presented by the Public Diplomacy Foundation. Little Envoys is the flagship co-curricular programme for students to step into a different country: its geography, flag, people, food, language, environment and arts, and each week they also practise a small, concrete skill of diplomacy. The programme's premise is simple: children who learn to represent their own community with confidence, and to meet another culture with curiosity and respect, are building the disposition of a diplomat long before they know the word.
- 9:15 pm
Musical presentation | Live Band
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity



