As part of its commitment to reviving economic and cultural heritage, TRENDS Research & Advisory, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Pearls of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, organized a symposium titled “The Pearl Age: Lessons for a Post-Oil World”. The event was held in the Grand Hall as part of the cultural program at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025.
Welcoming Remarks and Keynote Address
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, delivered the welcoming remarks, emphasizing the importance of drawing inspiration from the past to reshape future visions. He noted that the pearl era, though shorter than the oil age, laid the foundation for Gulf identity. He also highlighted that scientific research helps extract valuable lessons from that period to build more diversified and sustainable economic models for the future.
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Ahmed Al-Hashmi, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. He focused on the environmental dimension of the natural pearl trade, highlighting how the Gulf’s marine ecosystem was the primary cradle of the pearl economy. He called for deeper reflection on the relationship between natural resources and sustainable development, especially in light of the global shift toward a post-fossil fuel economy.
Five Themes
The panel discussion was moderated by Mouza Al-Marzooqi, Researcher and Head of the Economic Studies Section at TRENDS Research & Advisory. In her introduction, she emphasized that the pearl era was not merely an economic phase but a rich cultural and social system that deserves thorough documentation and scientific analysis. The session was structured around five main themes:
Pearl Economy
H.E. Dr. Ali Saqer Al-Suwaidi, President of the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, discussed the economic value of natural pearls at the beginning of the 20th century and their vital role in sustaining Gulf communities, despite the hardships of the sea and the dangers of pearl diving.
Social and Cultural Impacts
Dr. Buthaina Al-Qubaisi, Writer and Researcher in the History and Heritage of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, highlighted how the pearl economy shaped social values and traditions, from communal solidarity to the rituals associated with diving seasons and homecoming.
Societal and Developmental Transformation
This theme was discussed by Mr. Ibrahim Al-Jaber, Researcher in the History of Diving and Pearling from Qatar, and Dr. Fatima Al-Mazrouei, Head of the Historical Archives Department at the National Library and Archives. The speakers offered an analytical perspective on the major transformations experienced by Gulf societies following the collapse of the pearl market in the 1930s, triggered by the emergence of cultured pearls from Japan. This decline coincided with the dawn of the oil era, which profoundly reshaped cities, infrastructure, and economic and political relationships.
Lessons
Under this theme, Mohammed Abdulla Al-Sada, pearl diver, researcher, and host of the program “Heerat”, reflected on the profound lessons that should not be forgotten. He cautioned against the risks of relying on a single economic resource and highlighted the parallels with challenges facing oil-dependent nations today, should they fail to diversify their economies.
AI: The UAE’s Future Oil
Aisha Al-Hammadi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Pearls Centre Unit, drew connections between the transitions from the pearl economy to oil, and now toward a knowledge- and technology-based economy. She emphasized that investing in AI opens a new horizon for building a competitive and sustainable economy in the post-oil era.
Recognition and Conclusion
At the conclusion of the symposium, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali presented certificates of appreciation to the speakers in recognition of their valuable contributions to the discussion and for helping to shed light on this rich historical experience. A group photo was taken to commemorate this significant event.
In his introductory remarks at the beginning of the symposium, Abdulla Al-Khaja, Researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory, emphasized the importance of the symposium in highlighting a pivotal era in Gulf history, when pearling was the backbone of the local economy and a source of social identity, before the landscape was dramatically transformed by the discovery of oil in the mid-20th century, ushering in an era of unprecedented development and economic growth.
