As part of its prominent participation in the 7th BRICS Forum for Media and Think Tanks, TRENDS Research & Advisory continued to reinforce its global presence as an influential think tank, through intensive research engagement during the forum’s activities held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme: BRICS United: Forging a New Chapter for the Global South.
The forum featured discussions and interactive sessions that showcased TRENDS’ vital role—particularly through its Latin America Virtual Office—in promoting dialogue and building knowledge bridges among think tanks across the Global South.
To expand its partnership network and deepen cooperation, the TRENDS delegation held several meetings with prestigious research institutions, most notably the BRICS Policy Center at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The team met with the Center’s Director, Marta Fernández, to explore prospects of joint research cooperation in policy analysis and future foresight, contributing to a deeper understanding of global transformations.
TRENDS researchers also met with Ariane Costa, Deputy Director Specialist in Geopolitics and International Trade at the Brazilian Center for International Relations at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), where they discussed potential partnerships and the exchange of expertise, aiming to build knowledge-based cooperation to interpret complex international issues.
The delegation also met with Ms. Purnima Anand, President of the BRICS International Forum in India, to discuss opportunities for future research collaboration. Both parties emphasized the importance of convergence among think tanks to develop shared visions on Global South issues.
The TRENDS research delegation—represented by Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, Deputy Head of Research Sector, and Hamad Al-Hosani, Head of the Political Islam Studies Department—engaged with representatives of international research centers and the BRICS News Agency. They discussed topics addressed at the forum and mechanisms for joint work, reflecting TRENDS’ approach to knowledge exchange and enhancing international cooperation.
In recognition of its influential role, China’s Xinhua News Agency honored TRENDS as a key partner in the forum, acknowledging its active contributions in supporting its messages and global objectives.
Abdulaziz Al Shehhi and Hamad Al-Hosani also attended the forum’s opening session. Al Shehhi delivered a keynote speech titled “The Role of BRICS+ in enhancing cooperation among Global South countries through dialogue, exchange, and shared knowledge.”
The keynote underscored the importance of cooperation frameworks among Global South countries through platforms like BRICS, and the pivotal role of think tanks in bridging understanding and enhancing knowledge and developmental integration.
In his address, Al Shehhi stated: “At TRENDS, we strive to transform dialogue into sustainable research partnerships that contribute to producing credible, impactful knowledge aligned with the aspirations of the Global South’s peoples.”
TRENDS’ participation in the forum reflects its unwavering commitment to its role as a leading intellectual platform addressing international challenges and transformations by promoting dialogue, anticipating the future, and building strategic, globally oriented partnerships.
