Environment

Event to Highlight a Decade of Achievements and Pioneering AI Solutions for Weather Enhancement

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), is set to host the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) from January 28 to 30, 2025, at Conrad Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, the event promises to be a milestone in global efforts toward water sustainability.

The forum will feature over 50 prominent speakers, including global experts, policymakers, and researchers, and will center discussions on cutting-edge innovations in rain enhancement, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in weather modification.

10 Years of UAEREP Excellence

Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of UAEREP, the event underscores a decade-long commitment to addressing water scarcity through scientific innovation and international collaboration. UAEREP has allocated AED 82.6 million to support 14 groundbreaking research projects, resulting in eight registered patents and three pending approvals.

The forum will begin with a ceremony to honor local and international figures who have significantly contributed to UAEREP’s mission of advancing rain enhancement science and technology for global water and food security.

Global Collaboration and Innovation

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized the importance of leadership support in advancing UAEREP's research outcomes. “The IREF serves as a vital platform to unite expertise and foster transformative solutions addressing the escalating global water security challenge,” said Dr. Al Mandous.

Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP, highlighted the forum’s role in shaping the future of rainfall enhancement. “By leveraging AI and other technological breakthroughs, IREF continues to foster knowledge transfer and multi-sector collaboration, ensuring a sustainable water future for all,” she stated.

Launch of the 6th Award Cycle

The forum will mark the official launch of UAEREP’s 6th award cycle, inviting researchers worldwide to submit proposals focusing on five key areas:

• Optimized Seeding Materials
• Novel Cloud Formation and Rain Enhancement Systems
• Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
• Limited-Area Climate Interventions
• Advanced Models, Software, and Data

Proposals will be accepted from January 28 to March 20, 2025, encouraging participation from academia, government, and industry sectors.

Agenda Highlights

The 7th IREF will feature sessions on topics such as:

• Regional and global perspectives on water security
• Advances in hybrid AI-physics-based climate models
• Innovations in autonomous UAS for weather modification
• Development of novel cloud-seeding materials
• Approaches to limited-area climate interventions

Additionally, students and early-career scientists will present their research during a dedicated poster session, fostering the next generation of experts in weather enhancement science.

Driving Sustainable Solutions

As the global climate crisis intensifies, IREF reaffirms the UAE's commitment to advancing scientific innovation and fostering international collaboration to ensure a sustainable future for water security.

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