TRENDS Research and Advisory hosted, at its head office in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Osama El-Gohary, Assistant to the Egyptian Prime Minister and Chairman of the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), for a panel discussion focused on the role of think tanks in shaping policy and offering impactful scientific insights to address challenges and create a sustainable future.

The panel was opened by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, who highlighted the crucial role played by the IDSC in strengthening research work. He stressed the importance of collaboration between think tanks and government institutions in building a more sustainable future, stating that research partnerships are the optimal way of providing comprehensive insights that contribute to think tank development and serve the general and scientific community, both public and private.

Dr. Osama El-Gohary presented an overview of the IDSC, noting its pivotal role in finding solutions to pressing issues. He praised TRENDS for its research efforts and international presence across continents, with 17 physical and virtual offices forming an Arab and global knowledge bridge.

El-Gohary underscored the importance of scientific research as a cornerstone for informed decision-making, stating that think tanks provide essential analyses and in-depth research that aid policy development and align it with sustainable development goals. He also discussed the need to strengthen collaboration between research institutions, academia and governments to maximize utilization of available resources.

The session also explored avenues to further cooperation between TRENDS and the IDSC to provide informed perspectives on current events and issues.

At the close of the session, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali presented Dr. Osama El-Gohary with the TRENDS Research Medal in appreciation of his ongoing support for scientific research and his efforts to strengthen cooperation between both sides and research work in general.