ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
TRENDS Research & Advisory successfully concluded its Asian research tour, which spanned Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, and took place over 17 consecutive days, in media partnership with Aletihad News Center.
The tour featured the inauguration of TRENDS’ eighth, ninth, and tenth international offices, as well as discussions with several think tanks and academic institutions in the three countries.
It also included impactful research events aimed at furthering TRENDS' mission to disseminate knowledge and promote a culture of dialogue.
South Korea Leg
The tour began in Seoul, where TRENDS opened its eighth office at Korea University, establishing a gateway for TRENDS into Asia.
As part of its inaugural activities, TRENDS released a new book titled Cybersecurity in the Age of AI, which highlights the challenges and opportunities posed by the rapid advancements in AI in the realm of cybersecurity.
In collaboration with Korea University, TRENDS also contributed to an international symposium organized by the UAE Embassy in Seoul on the future of artificial intelligence.
Additionally, a high-level roundtable took place, attended by Dr. Kim Dong-one, President of Korea University, where prospects for cooperation between TRENDS and the university were explored.
CEO of TRENDS, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, awarded Dr. Kim with the TRENDS Research Medal in recognition of his efforts in supporting the launch of TRENDS' Seoul office.
Japan Leg
In Tokyo, TRENDS inaugurated its ninth international office and hosted its fourth Annual International Conference titled "Sustainable Security in 2024 and Beyond: The Role of AI," in media partnership with Aletihad News Center.
The event, held in cooperation with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, brought together ministers, officials, and over 35 experts and researchers from various countries.
TRENDS also unveiled its new publication, Global Trends in AI, which provides an in-depth analysis of technological advancements and looks ahead at the future of artificial intelligence.
In a significant step to expand its strategic partnerships, TRENDS signed a research and knowledge collaboration agreement with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo, aimed at enhancing research collaboration and exchanging knowledge.
As part of the Tokyo office's initiatives, TRENDS launched a special programme focused on artificial intelligence and foresight, aiming to build strategic partnerships in AI applications.
Additionally, six new episodes of the podcast series "Trending Echoes" were recorded, featuring prominent Japanese academics and experts.
Indonesia Leg
The final leg of the tour took place in Jakarta, where TRENDS inaugurated its tenth international office.
The Jakarta office commenced its activities with the launch of four books in Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and Machine: An Analysis Forward-looking Vision.
For the first time, TRENDS participated as a primary sponsor in the 2024 Indonesia International Book Fair, where it was the only Arab think tank represented.
The TRENDS pavilion featured more than 300 publications covering diverse research areas.
In addition, TRENDS organised two events during the fair.
The first was a discussion titled "Building Bridges and Shaping the Future: GCC Relations with Southeast Asian Countries," which involved leading experts and officials.
The second event featured the launch of the Indonesian edition of the Muslim Brotherhood International Power Index (MBIPI).
TRENDS also held a series of roundtable discussions with six Indonesian research institutions, including the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS), the Indonesian National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Center for Regional Information and Studies (PATTIRO), PRAKARSA institute, and the School of Strategic and Global Studies, University of Indonesia.
The discussions focused on collaborative research efforts, knowledge sharing, and exploring ways to address global challenges.
TRENDS Research Medal
At the beginning of its Asian research tour, TRENDS announced the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.
Several individuals received the medal during the tour in recognition of their outstanding roles.
Looking Ahead
Concluding the tour, Al-Ali CEO of TRENDS, expressed his satisfaction with the success of the Asian research tour, which spanned South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia.
He reaffirmed TRENDS' commitment to enhancing research cooperation between think tanks in the Arab region and the rest of the world, noting that the tour is part of TRENDS’ ongoing global engagement strategy, with more regions to be explored soon.
Al-Ali remarked that the tour offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with some of the world’s leading researchers and experts, providing fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Arab and Asian regions.
He emphasised that TRENDS would continue to promote dialogue and research collaboration to contribute to shaping a better future.
Finally, Al-Ali emphasised that TRENDS’ Asian tour demonstrated its prominence as a leading think tank on both the regional and international levels.
It also helped strengthen relationships and open new horizons for cooperation in the fields of research and advisory.
He thanked the UAE Ambassadors to South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia for their active support, as well as the Aletihad News Center for its media partnership during the tour, which greatly contributed to its success.