On August 22, 2025, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation was signed at the Moscow headquarters of the Valdai Discussion Club between the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club and the Trends Research and Advisory Research Institute (UAE).
The signing of the memorandum was attended by Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club, and Dr. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Ali, Head of the Trends Research and Advisory Institute.
The agreement confirms their mutual desire to strengthen ties between the scientific and expert communities of Russia and the UAE and will contribute to a qualified and objective assessment of global problems and the search for joint solutions aimed at developing relations between the two countries.
After signing the partnership agreement, Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board of the Valdai Discussion Club Foundation said: “I hope that this agreement will be the first in our long-term cooperation. We are different, but we are equal, and we can cooperate and discuss the most pressing issues on the agenda. We can and must make every effort to achieve mutual understanding and insight into global trends. We can help our countries unite and better navigate the ocean of current events.”
In turn, Dr. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Ali, the head of the Trends Research and Advisory Institute, expressed gratitude to the Valdai Club and noted: “We hope to work together in the future. Russia is a very important partner for the United Arab Emirates. We support the economic development of countries and cooperation, including research centers. All this is very important for us.”
The Valdai Discussion Club is expanding its partner network. In 2024, the Club signed agreements with the Beit Al-Amanah Foundation (Malaysia) and the Islamabad Institute of Policy Studies (Pakistan). In 2025, the geography of the signing has changed - the Valdai Club met with colleagues from the UAE to expand expert ties with representatives of the Middle East.
Trends Research & Advisory Institute was founded in 2014 and has since become one of the recognisable research institutes in the UAE. The organisation prepares publications on topics of global interest and regularly organises lectures, conferences and meetings to facilitate the exchange of research experience and knowledge. Among the Institute's renowned speakers are: Prince Turki al-Faisal al-Saud, Chairman of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies (Saudi Arabia); Anne Witkowsky, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (USA); Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future in the United Arab Emirates and others.
