More than a year after the signing of the Abraham Accords as a step towards coexistence, tolerance, and bridging communication between the peoples of the region, TRENDS Research and Advisory, in collaboration with the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, organized a symposium titled “Abraham Accords: Opportunity for Greater Cooperation, Tolerance and Development in the Region”.
Participants in the symposium discussed three main topics: the role of culture in promoting values of tolerance and dialogue, the role of media in supporting peace and human fraternity, and the prospects for cooperation in developmental and technological fields.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, delivered the opening remarks, affirming that the Abraham Accords have opened new horizons for cooperation in developmental, technological, and cultural fields. He emphasized that these gains will undoubtedly serve as an incentive for further cooperation and dialogue. Dr. Al-Ali also highlighted that TRENDS’ participation at Tel Aviv University embodies the clear outcomes of the Abraham Accords, which have outlined new prospects for a Middle East more inclined towards achieving peace and stability through cooperation and constructive dialogue.
Dr. Al-Ali emphasized that the Abraham Accords, which began with the signing of the peace treaty between the UAE and Israel in September 2020, followed by Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, represent one of the most significant transformations witnessed in the Middle East in decades. This is not only because it signifies a breakthrough in the longstanding deadlock of peaceful settlement between the Arab and Israeli sides, but also because it lays the foundation for a new era of constructive cooperation that meets the aspirations of all the region’s peoples for security, development, and prosperity.
Professor Uzi Rabi, Director of the Moshe Dayan Center, praised the role of think tanks in building a bridge towards the future for the benefit of future generations and for the entire region. He emphasized the importance of education in supporting peace and the need for what he described as an “intellectual shift” through culture and respect for others to achieve this change.
During his address, H.E. Mohammed Al Khaja, the UAE Ambassador to Israel, highlighted the hundreds of opportunities that have arisen from the Abraham Accords. In just one year, the UAE and Israel have achieved significant results in bilateral relations, signing over 60 agreements and memoranda of understanding in the fields of culture, health, space, science, economy, security, climate change, renewable energy, and education.
Ambassador Al Khaja expressed his aspiration to increase the bilateral trade volume between the two countries tenfold in the coming years. He stressed that education would help countries diversify economies, compete in the global market, and better prepare for the future, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in education and scientific research between the two countries.
Prof. Milette Shamir, Vice President of Tel Aviv University, pointed out that after the Abraham Accords, there are opportunities for partnership and cooperation between Israel and the UAE in scientific research, especially in the fields of water, artificial intelligence, food security, and cybersecurity. She highlighted potential areas of cooperation such as water research, elderly care, and the possibility of leveraging technology to serve the elderly.
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