TRENDS Research & Advisory continues to expand its international presence by launching a new virtual office in Paris, the French capital. This office aims to serve as a platform for intellectual exchange between the Arab and Francophone worlds.

The launch of the office coincides with the second session of the international symposium—held in the form of a workshop— Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities – which will take place on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Salle Monory at the headquarters of the French Senate.

French Senator Nathalie Goulet and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, will open the event. They will highlight the importance of Europe–Arab cooperation in addressing critical challenges related to the financing of extremist groups.

Dr. Wael Saleh, Political Islam Affairs Advisor and Director of TRENDS’ Office in Canada, and Senator Nathalie Goulet will moderate the workshop. It will address several topics, including the structure of financing networks, obstacles to halting financial flows, and a European road map for confronting the phenomenon.

A panel of European and Arab experts and officials will participate in the session, including Laure Anas Renaud, representative of the French Financial Intelligence Unit; Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Director of the Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities; Mr. Ali Faisal Ba’Alawi, Head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit and Representative of the Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing; François Volpoet, Director of Chain Spy; Levi Vial, Director of the Centre for University Studies in France; Hamad Al Hosani, researcher and Head of the Political Islam Studies Section at TRENDS; as well as researchers Shamsa Al Qubaisi and Shaikha Al-Nuaimi.

“The launch of our virtual office in Paris represents a pivotal strategic step toward strengthening intellectual and knowledge-based communication between the Arab world and the Francophone world,” Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said.

“We believe that this office will be a vital platform for exchanging ideas and visions on common global issues, especially those related to combating the financing of extremist groups,” he added, pointing out that this step comes in conjunction with holding the second session of our important international symposium on stopping the financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe.

This move confirms TRENDS’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in confronting these security and intellectual challenges. Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali emphasized that through this new presence, TRENDS aims to monitor and analyze French knowledge and production, convey visions of the Arab world to this vital space, and contribute to formulating effective policies for a safer and more stable future.