Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, has emphasized that research and ideas fuel the UAE’s upward journey toward the future. He affirmed that research institutions and think tanks form a fundamental pillar in sustaining the Union’s progress.

On this national occasion, Dr. Al-Ali congratulated the UAE’s leadership and people, noting that Union Day embodies the spirit of unity instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the nation’s founding father. He said that this enduring legacy underpins the UAE’s developmental achievements and its vision for the future.

He explained that celebrating Union Day is more than a commemoration; it is a living embodiment of the spirit of unity established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him. This spirit formed the solid foundation for launching the nation’s comprehensive development journey and the qualitative leaps the country is witnessing today.

Dr. Al-Ali added that Union Day is not merely a name, but a philosophy that reflects the essence of the UAE’s national identity. It highlights the pivotal role of academic and research institutions as driving forces of heritage preservation and sustainable development.

Dr. Al-Ali emphasized that research centers and think tanks serve as incubators for strategic thought and laboratories for creativity and innovation. They help translate the leadership’s vision into reality by analyzing challenges and proposing evidence-based, data-driven solutions.

He further stressed that investing in science and knowledge is an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset — the Emirati people. He explained that research institutions are at the forefront of achieving the UAE Vision for the Future through the development of innovative technologies that enhance the country’s global competitiveness, ensure the sustainability of resources for future generations, and contribute to vital sectors such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and sustainability.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali concluded his statement: “Science and knowledge are the fuel of our upward journey. On Union Day, we reaffirm that our investment in the minds of researchers and thinkers is an investment in the Emirati person, who is the cornerstone of our union.”