The TRENDS Research & Advisory delegation continued its research- and knowledge-driven momentum in Canada, launching activities on the second day of its global tour in Ottawa. The day’s agenda stood out for combining enhanced research, diplomatic, and cultural cooperation, and the exploration of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, aligned with its global vision.

The TRENDS delegation began its activities in Ottawa with a series of meetings at the Canadian Parliament, holding an extensive session with Mr. Vince Gasparro, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of State and a federal MP from the ruling Liberal Party and Leslie Church, Member of Parliament from the Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families.

The meeting explored the role of think tanks in supporting parliamentary work with strategic insights and analysis. The delegation also met MP Ziad Aboultaif, a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, where discussions focused on current geopolitical issues and the role of track-two diplomacy in fostering international understanding.

The delegation visited the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ottawa and met with Her Excellency Alia Hilal Al Shehhi, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the UAE Embassy in Canada. The meeting included an exchange of perspectives on the role of think tanks in advancing knowledge and shaping the future. The delegation presented the embassy’s library with a selection of TRENDS’ latest scientific publications, reinforcing the center’s mission to disseminate knowledge and support institutional integration.

The TRENDS delegation concluded its day with a strategic dialogue session with officials from the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (Mila), one of the world’s leading AI research centers. Discussions explored opportunities for cooperation between Mila and the TRENDS Training Institute to develop innovative AI-powered training programs that empower young researchers. This reflects TRENDS’ commitment to integrating technology into the scientific research ecosystem.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, affirmed that the research tour in Canada represents an essential milestone in the center’s global strategy. The delegation’s meetings with Canadian officials and parliamentarians aim to solidify the concept of “thought diplomacy” as an effective tool for building civilizational bridges and bringing perspectives closer together.

Dr. Al-Ali added that TRENDS’ presence in Canada and the activation of its virtual office exemplify the center’s dedication to enabling researchers to participate in constructive global dialogue and benefit from Canada’s distinguished experience. These intensive engagements embody the role of the TRENDS Virtual Office in Canada, which serves as a vital gateway for the center in North America and a platform for connecting Canadian experts with their counterparts, fostering the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and reinforcing TRENDS’ position as a trusted and influential global research reference.