–Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali: The tour is a key step in strengthening TRENDS’ international research presence
TRENDS Research & Advisory concluded its research tour in the United States, which was marked by the official opening of its new U.S. Office and an international symposium that brought together experts and leaders from the technology and space sectors, as well as eight dialogue sessions on AI, innovation, and research collaboration.
On the final day of the tour, the TRENDS research delegation paid a visit to the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in New York, where they held a dialogue session with H.E. Amna AlMehairi, Consul General of the UAE in New York, to explore opportunities for cooperation in training, research, and connecting young researchers to the region. TRENDS also presented her with a selection of its latest publications.
Dialogue and Knowledge Partnership
In a statement marking the conclusion of the U.S. tour, Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, emphasized that the Washington leg of the tour represented a pivotal milestone in boosting the Center’s international research presence and opening new avenues for collaboration with leading American think tanks and technology institutions.
He added that the tour focussed on global transformations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, health technology, and clean energy. It also shed light the role of innovation and digital integration in building effective economic and investment partnerships between the United States and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Dr. Al‑Ali also highlighted the inauguration of TRENDS’s physical office in the United States, calling it a strategic bridge toward building lasting ties with the academic community and think tanks. He said this step will enhance the Centre’s contribution to knowledge‑based insights and event analysis and anticipating the future of international relations amid the rapid digital revolution.
He said that among the key events of the tour was the symposium organized by TRENDS in Washington, D.C., under the title “The Future of U.S.–MENA Partnership: The Impact of Technology and Innovation,” which was attended by H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, alongside leading experts and executives from the technology and space sectors, including representatives from Google, NVIDIA, and SAAB.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali underlined the importance of the in-depth meetings and dialogues held by the TRENDS delegation with prominent research institutions and centers. These included the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, and Johns Hopkins University. Additional meetings were held with The Wall Street Journal, the UAE Embassy in Washington, and the UAE Consulate in New York. The discussions addressed the future of technology, the issues of AI, and the role of innovation in shaping international policy. Dr. Al-Ali emphasized that such dialogues pave the way for the development of shared visions and knowledge exchange that enhance the quality of research and dissemination of knowledge.
Throughout these meetings, U.S. officials and representatives from think tanks in Washington expressed their appreciation for TRENDS’ role in promoting global knowledge dialogue and praised the high quality of its research output.
His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, said: “I feel very proud to sit here on the stage at an event hosted and organized by a UAE-founded, UAE-based think tank. A lot of these events are always by local organizers. So, it is very nice to have something from the UAE here today.”
Brielle Hill, Associate Director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stated: “We view TRENDS as a trusted research partner with a clear vision and a strong ability to deliver insightful and balanced analyses of global developments. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with it in the areas of policy, economics, and technology.”
The third stop
The TRENDS delegation then travelled to Argentina for the third leg of TRENDS’ global tour. Through its office in Latin America, TRENDS will participate in the Buenos Aires International Book Fair and hold a series of dialogue sessions with officials and experts from the National Foreign Service Institute, the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Congress, and the Argentine–UAE Friendship Group. In partnership with the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations, TRENDS will also hold a roundtable on MENA–LATAM Relations.
The Argentina program will conclude with the signing of a research memorandum of understanding with the National Defense University, a discussion session organized by TRENDS’ Virtual Office in Buenos Aires with the Argentine Minister of Strategic Affairs on the impact of AI, and a further discussion with the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations.
