Leading global scientific event provides platform for the presentation and discussion of latest global research to boost water security in arid regions and beyond

HE Dr Abdulla Al Mandous: “Over the next three days, the Forum will see the exchange and discussion of some of the most cutting-edge ideas with the potential to boost water security for vulnerable populations around the world”

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science’s Second International Forum on Rain Enhancement Science opened today at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

Held over three days from 16-18 January, the Forum is providing a platform for discussion on the newly awarded research projects from the Program’s Third Cycle as well as updates on breakthroughs made by the First and Second Cycle research teams. The event has already established an international reputation for facilitating the exchange of ideas on the latest research and potential innovations in a promising field that is aiding the quest for global water security.

His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), said: “The Second International Forum on Rain Enhancement Science gathers together an outstanding field of leading international innovators in this important field. Over the next three days, the Forum will see the exchange and discussion of some of the most cutting-edge ideas with the potential to boost water security for vulnerable populations around the world. Through its commitment to leading international collaboration on this vitally important challenge, the UAE is once again showing its readiness to promote the innovation needed to make a real difference.”

With the event’s entire agenda of meetings open to those attending ADSW, this prestigious international Forum offers an excellent opportunity for participants to learn about the exciting and innovative work currently being carried out in the fast-growing field of rain enhancement science.

The Forum is building on the success of last year’s inaugural event by advancing rain enhancement innovation and solutions through discussion of the latest science and technology in the field. Day one features a panel session on ‘Innovations in Water Management and the Role of Rain Enhancement’ and presentations of research progress by the Program’s current First and Second Cycle awardees. The second and third days of the Forum will feature further discussion of existing projects, along with a special session at 14.00 on 17 January in which the Program’s new Third Cycle awardees’ projects will be presented with feedback invited from participants.

Since it was launched under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has established itself as a leading international focal point for cutting-edge scientific advances based on the analysis and the implementation of new technologies specifically developed to improve knowledge of weather, clouds and precipitation.

The Program’s three First Cycle awardees, based in UAE, Japan and Germany, are undertaking projects on the use of nanotechnology to accelerate water condensation, the potential of innovative algorithms to enhance knowledge of cloud characteristics and precipitation, and land cover modification to enhance precipitation. Further projects led by Second Cycle awardees, featuring leading researchers from the US, Finland and UK, are working respectively on leveraging ice production processes in cumulus clouds, quantifying atmospheric aerosols in precipitation enhancement, and analyzing the electrical properties of clouds, also commenced in 2017.

Managed by the NCM, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science is an international initiative offering a grant of 5 million US dollars to be shared by up to five winning research proposals. Since the Program was launched, an ambitious international outreach campaign has engaged with 1,220 researchers and 520 institutions from more than 50 countries. Key global institutions engaged through the NCM’s roadshows include NASA, JAXA, the European Commission, the US Congress, the United Nations, and Harvard and Princeton Universities.

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About the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs and overseen by the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCM), offers a grant of 5 million US dollars over a three-year period to be shared by up to five winning research proposals. The Program was launched with the aims of addressing water security challenges and placing the UAE at the international forefront of scientific research into rain enhancement. In the context of the UAE’s Innovation Strategy, the Program is structured to develop human capital and stimulate investment in research in this field for the benefit of arid and semi-arid regions around the world.

For more information about the Program: www.uaerep.ae

© Press Release 2018