TRENDS Research and Advisory concluded its outstanding participation in the 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, was organized by the Sharjah Book Authority over 12 days at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “It Starts With a Book”. TRENDS enriched the fair with over 350 academic and knowledge-based publications, in addition to a wide range of specialized research and studies.

TRENDS’ fifth participation in the SIBF witnessed the signing of 10 new publications by its experts, writers and researchers, reinforcing its strategy to support and empower young scholars. Furthermore, the TRENDS Youth Council hosted a panel discussion titled “The Importance of Education Within the Youth” in collaboration with other youth councils. Additionally, TRENDS researchers participated in a panel discussion exploring “The Impact of the Emirates Publishers Association on Supporting the Cultural Publishing Industry”.

Continuous Engagement

TRENDS’ pavilion saw a constant stream of visitors, including senior officials, ambassadors, diplomats, intellectuals, writers, academics and attendees from around the world. Visitors praised the Center’s rich and diverse collection of scholarly and research publications, as well as its dedication to promoting a knowledge-driven future.

On the concluding day of TRENDS’ participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamdan Al Nuaimi, Director of the Economic Licensing Department at the Ajman Department of Economic Development, and H.E. Ibrahim Salman Al Hammadi, Executive Director of the Government Performance and Excellence Sector and General Coordinator of the Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, visited the TRENDS pavilion and browsed the Center’s latest signed publications.

During the book fair, TRENDS signed a cooperation agreement with the DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation to strengthen partnerships in research, specialized studies and training programs. Additionally, the Center launched the “TRENDS Knowledge Passport” initiative to highlight its global research and scientific vision.

Purposeful Scientific Content

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, emphasized the importance of regularly participating in leading international and regional book fairs to disseminate knowledge and culture. He highlighted the Center’s role in providing valuable scientific content that opens minds and encourages future-oriented thinking, praised the extensive and continuous visits to the Center’s pavilion at the 43rd edition of the SIBF, and explained that this reflects the wide interest in and appreciation of the Center’s publications and research output among various segments and categories of the book fair visitors.

Dr. Al-Ali described the SIBF as one of the world’s most significant cultural and intellectual platforms, drawing participation from dozens of countries, hundreds of publishers, and numerous prominent intellectuals and creators from around the world. He added that this cultural and intellectual forum serves as an annual platform to showcase TRENDS’ research, scientific and knowledge output, and that TRENDS was keen to participate in the book fair for the fifth consecutive year.

Addressing Publishing Challenges

Dr. Al-Ali revealed that TRENDS participation in the SIBF included the launch of a study that was prepared in partnership with the Emirates Publishers Association under the title “The Impact of the Emirates Publishers Association on Supporting the Cultural Publishing Industry in the UAE and GCC”. This study examines the challenges and opportunities facing the publishing industry locally and regionally.

Another notable release was the book “The Era of Pearls: From Poverty to Prosperity,” which analyzes the historical cycles shaping the UAE’s development—from the pre-pearl era to the oil economy, including the localization and thriving of the pearl industry.

AI Corner

Rawda Al-Marzouqi, Director of Distribution and Exhibitions at TRENDS, highlighted the innovative features of the Center’s pavilion, which included a podcast studio where episodes of the Trending Echoes series were recorded. The AI corner of the pavilion, featuring tools like AI-powered chatbots Echo and Moxie and the augmented reality headset Tara, attracted significant interest from attendees.

Al-Marzouqi noted that the SIBF serves as a global platform for knowledge and cultural exchange, allowing TRENDS to connect with a worldwide audience of readers, publishing leaders, distributors and content creators. She affirmed that TRENDS’ participation reflects its strategy to expand the dissemination of scientific and research-based knowledge at international events.

10 New Publications

Rawda Al-Marzouqi indicated that during the book fair, TRENDS researchers signed 10 new books, including: “Think Tanks in a Changing World: Shifts, Roles and Challenges”; “Applying Training and Simulation Models in Cybersecurity”; “The Growing Role of Private Military Companies: Blackwater and Wagner as Case Studies”; the Arabic edition of “The Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index 2022-2023”; and “Zero Government Bureaucracy: General Characteristics, Technological Transformations, and the UAE Model”.