Bonn:TRENDS Global, a part of TRENDS Group, has successfully concluded its role as a guest of honour through its virtual office in Germany at the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA) annual conference. The event was held in Bonn, Germany, under the theme "Polycentric and Participatory Knowledge Production Research Collaboration Across Borders and Disciplines," and was supported by Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
According to Wam, TRENDS researchers engaged in a panel discussion titled "Technology, Minerals and Power," where they highlighted the strategic importance of technology and critical minerals in shaping the multipolar international order. They noted the role of artificial intelligence and data centres in increasing global energy demand, emphasizing the necessity for governments to enhance their strategic positions and for research institutions to aid policymakers in addressing emerging challenges.
Dr. Mohammad Abu Ghazleh, the Senior Researcher and Director of TRENDS' virtual office in Germany, remarked on the geopolitical influence of technology and critical minerals. He pointed out that the expansion of AI and data centres has amplified the demand for reliable electricity, positioning countries with abundant energy resources and advanced infrastructure to gain competitive advantages. Dr. Abu Ghazleh stressed the importance of investment in infrastructure, education, research, and domestic industrial capabilities for governments, along with the need for international cooperation.
Saif Al-Nuaimi, Researcher at TRENDS Research and Advisory, delivered a presentation titled "From Competition to Cooperation Building Partnerships for the Future." He discussed the natural evolution of competition in the energy, technology, and artificial intelligence sectors and the importance of transforming this competition into productive cooperation. Al-Nuaimi underscored the role of research institutions in guiding decision-makers by bridging the gap between research and policy communities and translating knowledge into actionable insights. He concluded that while competition fosters innovation, sustained progress depends on the ability of the international community to build partnerships grounded in trust and knowledge exchange.