At the invitation of the UAE Ministry of Economy, TRENDS Research &
Advisory participated in the 8th panel discussion to forecast the future of economic
and developmental integration for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The event was held at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh
on August 27-28, 2024.
Sultan Al-Rubaie, senior researcher and Deputy Head of the Research Sector at
TRENDS, and Hamad Al Hosani, senior researcher at the Center, presented a joint
paper titled The Role of Research Centers in Utilizing Foresight Tools. The paper
highlights the importance of foresight in the face of rapid changes worldwide and
emphasizes the pivotal role of research centers in this field.
They pointed out that research centers are crucial in supporting decision-making
processes and enhancing economic and social development by developing
innovative tools and techniques for foresight, such as artificial intelligence and big
data analysis. They also stressed the importance of these centers in providing
proactive insights that aid in making informed decisions.
The paper discusses the challenges research centers face in achieving their future
objectives and opportunities for collaboration with academic and governmental
institutions to develop their capabilities in foresight.
The researchers emphasized the need for sustainable support and funding for
research centers to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development. They
asserted that developing researchers’ skills, encouraging multidisciplinary
research, and providing a supportive regulatory environment are essential for
enhancing these centers’ ability to forecast the future efficiently.
The research paper concluded that research centers are vital in employing foresight
tools to promote economic and social development and support decision-makers in
addressing future challenges. By adopting advanced technologies and collaborating
with partners, these centers can provide proactive insights to formulate effective
and sustainable policies and strategies.
