TRENDS Research & Advisory hosted H.E.  Ken Okaniwa, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, for a discussion session that focused on the role of think tanks, research centers, and academic institutions in supporting global dialogue and building bridges of civilizational exchange and debate among societies. The discussion also underscored the importance of addressing global challenges through intellectual diplomacy, science, and knowledge.

The session explored mechanisms for addressing contemporary global challenges, which require unprecedented research cooperation among leading think tanks, along with strengthening the role of soft diplomacy in building trust between peoples and supporting academic exchange among researchers and experts.

Intellectual and knowledge impact

H.E. Ambassador Ken Okaniwa praised TRENDS Research & Advisory for its leading role in the global research landscape, describing it as a model institution that combines academic depth with tangible intellectual and knowledge influence. He noted that the Center’s vision of advancing knowledge-based global dialogue is in line with Japan’s diplomatic philosophy of promoting shared human values and cultural interaction.

He commended TRENDS’ research work, scholarly publications, and high-quality studies, highlighting its active international presence and its efforts in fostering constructive dialogue and discussion among researchers and academics, in a way that serves scientific research and deepens sustained engagement between Japanese and Middle Eastern think tanks and research institutions.

Exchange of expertise and experiences

H.E. Ambassador of Japan to the UAE emphasized that the TRENDS office in Japan serves as a vital bridge for research collaboration between Japanese academic and research institutions and TRENDS, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced technology studies, environmental and foresight research, as well as in strategic partnerships to develop joint research programs and facilitate the exchange of scientific expertise and knowledge.

Promoting the language of dialogue

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stressed the strategic importance of cooperation and partnership with Japanese research and academic institutions. He noted that Japan represents a global model of research excellence and technological innovation, making partnership with Japanese think tanks a cornerstone of TRENDS’ vision to provide scientific solutions to global challenges and to promote the language of dialogue.

Dr. Al-Ali added that the discussion session was part of TRENDS’ vision to enhance its role as a bridge for intellectual exchange between East and West, supporting its efforts to foster mutual understanding of regional and global developments and expanding the scope of interaction and debate between experts and specialists in Japan and the Middle East.

Managing geopolitical transformations

Dr. Al-Ali also noted that the TRENDS office in Japan plays an active role in advancing the center’s research vision by enhancing cooperation with Japanese universities and research institutes in areas such as scientific publishing, joint training, academic consulting, knowledge exchange, and foresight studies. The office also works on organizing a series of joint conferences, symposiums, and panel discussions that explore ways to manage geopolitical transformations in Asia and the Middle East, as well as scientific solutions to address contemporary issues.