On the sidelines of the BRIDGE Summit 2025, TRENDS Research & Advisory signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OIC States Broadcasting Union (OSBU), aimed at strengthening cooperation in research, knowledge, and media fields between the two parties, as well as with think tanks and research and media institutions across the Islamic world.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, and Dr. Amr Al-Leithy, President of OSBU, at the TRENDS pavilion during the BRIDGE Summit. It reinforces joint efforts to address intellectual, knowledge, and media challenges, correct misconceptions, and promote a culture of tolerance and coexistence, while building bridges of civilizational dialogue and strengthening community-oriented thought.

Sustainable Mutual Cooperation

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, stated that the signing of the MoU with OSBU opens the door to sustainable cooperation. He noted that the MoU provides an institutional framework to strengthen integration between intellectual production and media performance. He added that both parties will work on developing joint research programs addressing pressing issues facing OIC member states, particularly combating ideological extremism, promoting the values of moderation, and examining global geopolitical transformations and their impacts on the region.

Al-Ali explained that TRENDS and OSBU also agreed to enhance the exchange of expertise, insights, and knowledge by organizing a series of joint conferences, events, and dialogue sessions, in addition to producing high-quality media and knowledge content grounded in scientific research, and supporting academic initiatives aimed at serving the societies and peoples of the OIC member states.

He noted that the MoU reflects a shared vision to reinforce the role of scientific research and knowledge in shaping responsible and purposeful media and broadcasting discourse. Both sides believe in the importance of delivering accurate and balanced media and knowledge messages that promote enlightened thinking and counter destructive extremist narratives through capacity building, skills development, and the preparation of young media and research professionals.

Knowledge With a Difference

Dr. Amr Al-Leithy, President of OSBU, emphasized that the signing of the MoU with TRENDS Research & Advisory represents a practical model of constructive cooperation between intellectual and media institutions in the Islamic world at a time when Muslims need unified efforts and a more disciplined discourse to confront contemporary challenges. He noted that this cooperation will help transform forward-looking ideas and analytical insights into impactful media and knowledge outputs that make a real difference and serve societies.

Al-Leithy explained that this partnership marks an essential step toward strengthening collaboration between media and research institutions. He stressed OSBU’s role in supporting innovation and the exchange of expertise among media professionals in OIC member states. He added that both sides agreed to deepen research and media cooperation by leveraging their international expertise, developing media analysis tools, and supporting the broader media industry in the Islamic world.

The agreement aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise in media research, prepare strategic studies, and organize workshops and training courses for media professionals in OIC member states. It also includes launching joint initiatives to support Arabic-language media content and advance media-analysis methodologies and future-oriented approaches to digital media.