The Group’s pavilion hosted a series of events, including study launches, publication signings, discussions, and cultural sessions.
TRENDS Group continued its events and activities at the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, welcoming visitors to its pavilion, which reflects its new institutional identity, as part of an agenda packed with scientific, cultural, and academic events, with the participation of a distinguished group of officials, experts, researchers, and academics.
The Group’s pavilion and its five companies hosted a series of events, including the launch of studies and the signing of publications, discussion and cultural sessions, and activities that promote academic engagement, partnership-building, and skills development.
The pavilion was visited by a number of ministers, ambassadors, officials, writers, academics, and university and school students. Members and star players of the UAE national football team that participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy also visited the pavilion.
New Publications Explore Strategies and International Transformations
At the outset of the publications’ activities, the TRENDS Group pavilion hosted a signing ceremony for several new publications, most notably the book National Strategic Planning for Building a Deterrence Strategy, authored by Major General (Ret.) Dr. Khalid Abdullah Al Buainain Al Mazrouei, former Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense.
The book examines the foundations of national strategic planning and the development of an integrated deterrence strategy amid rapidly evolving security and technological developments. It explains that the UAE’s security doctrine is based on comprehensive national deterrence, combining “deterrence by denial,” through an advanced air defense system supported by artificial intelligence, and “deterrence by punishment,” through precise targeting of threat sources.
It also examines the integration of the UAE Armed Forces’ branches in securing the air, maritime, and land domains, alongside cyber and logistical superiority, and the role of national service in supporting industry localization and safeguarding stability.
The publications’ activities continued with the signing of the English-language book Balancing Power and Peace: China’s Mediation Role in International Conflicts in the 21st Century, authored by Lead Researcher Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, Deputy Director General of TRENDS Research & Advisory.
The book examines the evolution of Chinese diplomacy in international mediation through several case studies, including Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, Afghanistan, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Global South. It highlights the opportunities and limitations of the Chinese approach and its implications for conflict resolution amid the accelerating shift toward a multipolar world.
The TRENDS Group pavilion also hosted the signing of the book The Polar Silk Road: Chinese Ambitions in the Arctic, presented by Rashid Al Zaabi, Lead Researcher at the Strategic Studies Department.
The book discusses China’s growing presence in the Arctic, Beijing’s cooperation with Russia, and its strategic ambitions, as well as the opportunities and challenges, and the positions of Western powers shaping the future of competition and governance in the region.
ADFD: A Pioneering Emirati Experience
The TRENDS Group pavilion at the 2026 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair hosted a discussion session on the joint publication with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, titled Abu Dhabi Fund for Development: Emirati Hands for Creating Global Prosperity 2025, followed by a book-signing ceremony, in the presence of H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, Chairman of the TRENDS Group.
The session discussed the Fund’s journey, which began with its establishment in 1971, and its transformation from a traditional financing model into a comprehensive development and investment model that has contributed to development in more than 107 countries and strengthened the UAE’s economic diplomacy and soft power.
H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi stressed that the launch of the book represents an important milestone in documenting the 55-year journey of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, noting that the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, established from the outset an approach based on supporting brotherly and friendly countries and achieving development and prosperity around the world.
He explained that the publication documents, through figures and facts, the Fund’s contributions to international development and traces the evolution of its scope, which expanded from Arab countries to more than 100 countries worldwide through development financing, investments, and strategic partnerships.
He noted that the book will be translated into several languages and distributed to universities and educational institutions, making it a reference for researchers and students. He commended TRENDS Research & Advisory for preparing the publication and invited the public and interested readers to explore the milestones and achievements it documents over 55 years.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali said the book reflects knowledge-based research and cooperation between the TRENDS Group and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. It aims to document a national experience spanning more than five decades, analyze its economic, developmental, and strategic dimensions, and anticipate its future.
He highlighted the importance of transforming successful national experiences into documented knowledge and a research reference that can benefit researchers, academics, and students. He also stressed that the publication, the first book launched by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, reflects the Emirati approach based on long-term partnership and investment in people, infrastructure and the economy.
He affirmed that the TRENDS Group looks forward to continuing cooperation with the Fund through research and knowledge initiatives and projects that serve the UAE and document its pioneering development experiences.
AI and Shaping the Future
As part of TRENDS activities at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the TRENDS Training Institute, in cooperation with “Maharat,” organized an interactive workshop titled Artificial Intelligence and Shaping the Future: A Step Toward Tomorrow, presented by Shaher Taifour.
The workshop explored artificial intelligence, its importance, emerging technologies, and applications in anticipating and shaping the future across healthcare, education, cities, culture, and the labor market, while highlighting the UAE’s leadership in this field.
Participants engaged through their mobile phones in questions and polls, followed by a concluding challenge. The workshop concluded with practical steps for using artificial intelligence consciously and responsibly, amid notable engagement from participants across different groups.
Research Partnership with NYUAD
As part of its research partnerships, the TRENDS Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York University Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Fabio Piano, Vice President of the University, and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, Chairman of the TRENDS Group, in a step aimed at strengthening academic and research cooperation and exchanging expertise and knowledge between the two sides.
The TRENDS Training Institute corner also hosted a meeting with students from international universities, as part of the Group’s commitment to engaging with students and young researchers and opening channels for dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
