UAE Research Program For Rain Enhancement Science Outlines Future Plans And Innovations For Water Security

The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) recently held a press conference at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) in Abu Dhabi. The event highlighted the programme's achievements and future plans under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The programme will celebrate its 10th anniversary in January 2025, host the seventh International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), and launch its sixth global grant cycle.

His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasised the need for innovation in achieving water security. "Achieving global water security requires more than conventional approaches; it necessitates continuous innovation and the deployment of advanced, data-driven and AI-supported technologies," he stated. The UAE is committed to leading efforts in this area through UAEREP.

The upcoming IREF will serve as a global platform to discuss advancements in rain enhancement science. It will gather decision-makers, researchers, investors, and stakeholders worldwide to focus on collaboration, innovation, capacity building, artificial intelligence, and applied research. The forum will place a strong emphasis on AI and include sessions on regional water security perspectives.

Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, expressed excitement for 2025 as they approach their tenth anniversary. She noted that beyond funding, UAEREP provides technical assistance to help projects transition from research to practical applications. This includes data sharing and access to facilities aligned with UAE's environmental conditions.

The sixth grant cycle launching in January 2025 will target five research areas: optimized seeding materials, novel cloud formation systems, autonomous unmanned aircraft, localized climate interventions, and advanced data models. This cycle underscores UAEREP’s commitment to advancing research in autonomous technologies and data systems.

The forum will also offer students and early-career scientists opportunities to present their findings. Extensive participation from local and international research centers is expected. The event aims to foster collaboration among experts and thought leaders in rain enhancement science.

Global Engagements

The UAEREP has been active globally with recent participation in Azerbaijan’s Baku Water Week and a U.S. roadshow engaging key stakeholders from institutions like NASA and Columbia University. Upcoming events include the American Geophysical Union meeting in December and COP16 in Riyadh.

The programme's exceptional year began with announcing fifth-cycle award recipients. It continues to engage policymakers, partners, researchers, and scientists through key events worldwide. These engagements aim to strengthen collaborations for sustainable water resource management.

The seventh edition of IREF will explore innovative solutions for water scarcity challenges. Topics include AI for weather modification, hybrid AI-physics models for climate research, UAV advancements for weather applications, cloud seeding materials design challenges, limited-area climate interventions for rainfall enhancement, and new approaches for cloud formation.

As UAEREP marks its decade-long journey in rain enhancement science support by 2025, it remains dedicated to pioneering projects that contribute significantly to sustainable water resources globally.

With inputs from WAM