TRENDS Research and Advisory presented around 350 research publications at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025, drawing significant visitor interest to its AI-enhanced pavilion that blended historical knowledge with forward-looking analysis. The centre’s participation, which included multiple book signings and workshops, positioned it as a key contributor to intellectual discourse at the annual gathering. Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, oversaw the activities that underscored the organisation’s commitment to addressing regional and global issues through rigorous research. Official visits from UAE Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi and Lebanese counterpart Dr. Ghassan Salamé further highlighted the pavilion’s prominence during the fair’s later days.
The think tank signed eight memoranda of understanding with prominent institutions during the book fair, TRENDS Research and Advisory reported in statements following the event. These agreements covered collaboration in research, training and knowledge dissemination with partners including Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity and the Global Arab Network. One accord focused on advancing values of tolerance, coexistence and intercultural dialogue while another targeted strategic studies and consultancy work. Such partnerships build on TRENDS’ established network of 342 academic and governmental ties across more than 45 countries.
Among the new releases featured at the fair was a book titled “Using Game Theory to Develop Counterterrorism Strategies,” authored by Dr. Khaled Rashed Al-Zayoudi and published by TRENDS. Additional titles signed during the event examined topics ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to the UAE’s model of tolerance and the future of the Muslim Brotherhood. These works formed part of a broader output that has seen the centre produce 1,688 reports and 343 scholarly publications over the past decade, according to its own historical records. The publications attracted attention from academics, decision-makers and the public alike.
TRENDS Research and Advisory has participated in 74 international book fairs globally, a track record that includes its consistent presence at the Abu Dhabi event and similar gatherings in Sharjah, China and Germany. Its 2025 activities at the Abu Dhabi fair also encompassed workshops on countering extremism through media and technology, with experts stressing the need for enhanced collaboration in this domain. The centre’s pavilion hosted podcast recordings and discussions that extended its reach beyond traditional publishing. This engagement aligns with TRENDS’ annual organisation of nearly 300 scientific events focused on security, development and youth empowerment.
Over the first half of 2025, TRENDS released 29 new publications, including original books and translations that address artificial intelligence trends, political Islam and economic forecasts, its internal assessment found. The centre’s research output for the period totalled 101 papers, many contributed by affiliate scholars from its offices in 21 locations worldwide. Such productivity supports its role as a reference for policymakers and media professionals seeking data-driven insights on turbulent global affairs. The Abu Dhabi book fair served as a platform to distribute these materials directly to a wide audience.
The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity was among the entities formalising cooperation with TRENDS at the fair, with the agreement signed by Al-Ali and the committee’s secretary-general. This pact emphasises joint initiatives in scientific research and societal programmes aimed at fostering human values. Similar deals with academic bodies like the Abu Dhabi School of Management, though concluded later in the year, reflect a continuing pattern of institutional alignment that began gaining momentum during the spring book fair. These steps have expanded TRENDS’ capacity to conduct applied studies and public opinion surveys across the region.
