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The Budapest office will operate as an extension of AHRC’s existing bases in Dubai and Cairo, aiming to deepen engagement with European academic networks, policy institutions and research ecosystems. The move forms part of the center’s strategy to strengthen its international presence and expand cross-regional policy cooperation.
The expansion is aligned with AHRC’s Vision 2026, designated as the “Year of Peace and Construction,” which signals a shift from crisis analysis toward governance development, preventive peace frameworks and long-term stability.
AHRC said Budapest was selected for its central geographic position, academic environment and role as a gateway between Central, Eastern and Western Europe. The city is expected to serve as a platform for research on global challenges such as artificial intelligence governance, geopolitical economy, health and demographic change, and future-oriented sciences.
The organization said its European presence reflects a broader institutional focus on what it describes as “Constructive Security for Peace,” a research framework addressing nuclear safety, biosecurity, food security and responsible technology governance.
In its first year, the Budapest office will focus on strengthening Hungary’s position as a hub for cross-regional policy dialogue, launching new research programs, facilitating cooperation between European universities and Middle Eastern research institutions, and creating opportunities for young European researchers. The center also plans to host panels, workshops and conferences in Budapest as part of its 2026 peace-building agenda.
The office is intended to function as a platform for European participation in global research networks addressing governance, stability and resilience, AHRC said.
The Budapest office will be led by a senior researcher based in Hungary, who will report to AHRC’s managing director in Dubai. The appointment will be announced later.
The office will begin operations with a core full-time research team supported by project-based collaborators, visiting fellows and part-time researchers, allowing for future expansion in line with research programs and institutional partnerships.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group, said the expansion reflects his belief in the role of knowledge in promoting stability.
“The world does not need more commentary on conflict; it needs constructive thinking that prevents conflict before it begins. Establishing the Al Habtoor Research Centre in Budapest reflects our conviction that Europe and the Middle East must engage in serious, responsible dialogue about the future. Peace is not accidental; it must be built deliberately through knowledge, governance, and cooperation,” he said.
He added: “Hungary represents an intellectual gateway into Europe. And we consider it as the Al Habtoor Group’s base in Europe. We see Budapest not only as a location, but as a bridge, a meeting point where ideas from different regions can converge to build more stable futures.”
Azza Hashem, managing director of AHRC, said the European expansion supports the center’s transition into a globally connected policy institution.
“Vision 2026 repositions the Centre from observing crises to shaping constructive pathways. The Budapest office strengthens our access to European policy ecosystems and academic networks while preserving our unified institutional framework. Our aim is to transform foresight into early warning, and early warning into actionable policy solutions,” she said.
She added: “This expansion will deepen interdisciplinary research, foster youth engagement, and contribute to Europe’s ongoing conversations on governance, security, and technological responsibility.”
By integrating its Dubai, Cairo, and Budapest offices under a unified structure, AHRC aims to position itself as a cross-regional platform linking European and Middle Eastern perspectives.
The organization said its expansion into Budapest reflects a broader commitment to advancing international cooperation and developing governance frameworks to address global challenges.
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