Dubai: On the sidelines of its participation in the World Governments Summit 2026, TRENDS Research and Advisory organized a session titled 'Governments of the Future: Global Trends - Insights from Global Think Tanks.' The session featured leaders from international research institutions and think tanks who discussed trends shaping governance, policymaking, and decision-making amid technological transformations and competition between economic models.
According to Emirates News Agency, the session was moderated by Matthew Kaminski, Editorial Chair of Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and attended by prominent figures including Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory; Professor Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council; Navin Girishankar, President of the Economic Security and Technology Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Dr. John Bruni, CEO of Australia's SAGE International; Prof. Huck-Ju Kwon, President of the Korea Institute of Public Administration; and Sultan Majed, Deputy Head of the TRENDS Dubai Sector.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, in his keynote address, spoke about the interconnected nature of geopolitical, technological, and economic transformations. He emphasized the importance of states and institutions in anticipating the future and managing risks through knowledge-based policies. He noted the growing role of think tanks as strategic intermediaries.
Professor Ahmed Zayed discussed the importance of evidence-based policymaking in a fragmented world, while Frederick Kempe highlighted global trends impacting geopolitics, economic security, and governance in the next decade.
Prof. Huck-Ju Kwon focused on the role of think tanks as a bridge between academic research and policy implementation, and Dr. John Bruni pointed out the challenge governments face in decision clarity.
Navin Girishankar emphasized the need for coordinated public-private action to rebuild technological and economic competitiveness. Sultan Majed stressed the importance of think tanks in addressing future government skills gaps and enhancing institutional capacity.
