The conference will bring together a distinguished group of researchers, data providers, executive and academic institutions, policymakers, and community representatives.
At a media briefing, TRENDS Observatory For the Study of Social Phenomena and Changes , part of TRENDS Group, announced it will hold its first conference, The Family at the Heart of Social Transformations, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi.
The conference will be opened by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Keynote addresses will be delivered by H.E. Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, and H.E. Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat.
The conference will bring together a distinguished group of researchers, data providers, executive and academic institutions, policymakers, and community representatives to discuss the state of family-related research and policies. It will also examine major social transformations and challenges, identify research and data gaps, and strengthen integration among research, data, and policymaking to support national policies and promote family stability and well-being.
An Integrated Vision
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TRENDS Group, said the family is the primary pillar of social stability and sustainable development, and the environment in which values, identity, and belonging are shaped.
He noted that, building on the UAE’s Year of the Family and amid rapid social, economic, and technological transformations worldwide, there is a growing need for rigorous research and accurate data to inform decision-making and anticipate the future.
Dr. Al Ali added that the first TRENDS Observatory Conference brings researchers, policymakers, and community representatives around one table, helping develop an integrated vision that strengthens family cohesion and well-being. He emphasized that the conference carries a profound strategic dimension and places on all stakeholders the responsibility to reinforce the family’s position as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development and a more prosperous future for nations.
Dr. Al Ali stressed that TRENDS Group, through its five companies, believes that effective policies begin with understanding reality as it is, that reliable data form the foundation of any successful intervention, and that investing in the family is an investment in human capital that strengthens social cohesion and drives more advanced and innovative development.
A Sustainable Research Agenda
For his part, Sultan Majid, Director General of TRENDS Observatory, said that through its first conference, the Observatory seeks to highlight the major transformations affecting the family, including changing patterns of marriage and fertility, family structure, work-care balance, and the impact of digital transformation on family relationships.
He explained that these discussions support efforts to strengthen family stability, raise awareness of the importance of family relationships, and reinforce the family’s role as a cornerstone of identity and authentic values. He noted that this strengthens social belonging and helps build a cohesive society that actively participates in the development process.
Sultan Majid added that TRENDS Observatory is working to identify research and data gaps and strengthen integration among research and academic institutions, data providers, and executive entities so that scientific research outputs can be translated into practical recommendations for policymakers.
“We look forward to the conference sessions producing clear visions and priorities that support efforts to strengthen family stability and establish a sustainable research agenda capable of keeping pace with social transformations,” he said. “We are also proud of the participation of this distinguished group of officials, academics, and experts, which reflects the growing attention to family issues and enriches the dialogue with diverse expertise, providing Emirati families and families around the world with tools to build strength and resilience in facing the challenges of the future with confidence and capability.”
Four Sessions, Multiple Entities
The conference program will consist of four sessions. The first, featuring several entities, will address education and discuss the role of youth and families in advancing the educational journey.
The second session will feature a high-level discussion on family formation and changes in family structure, including marriage and fertility patterns, family structure, and research priorities to support family stability.
The third session will focus on work, care, and family balance, exploring ways to reconcile labor-market requirements with caregiving responsibilities, as well as policies that support this balance.
The fourth and final session will address mental health and family connectedness, examining how digital transformations affect family relationships, the importance of family support services, and intergenerational connectedness.
The sessions will feature officials, academics, and experts from the Ministry of Family, the Family Development Foundation, Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, United Arab Emirates University, the University of Sharjah, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Strategic partners include the Arab Youth Center, which will launch a joint study on families in the Arab world. Other strategic partners include the United Arab Emirates University, the University of Sharjah, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
