UAEREP to Highlight UAE’s Weather Modification Efforts at ASEAN Regional Seminar on Weather Modification 2024
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) is making a significant mark at the ASEAN Regional Seminar on Weather Modification 2024, which is currently being held from October 18 to October 22, 2024, in Bangkok and Chon Buri Province, Thailand. This seminar is organized under the aegis of the ASEAN Weather Modification Centre (AWMC) and steered by Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA).
The engaging event is diving deeply into various aspects of weather modification, exploring topics such as the present state of weather modification activities, best practices in the field, and devising strategies for regional collaborations.
The seminar serves as a confluence for experts in weather modification from the ASEAN member states, as well as international collaborators such as the UAEREP. The primary focus is on exchanging knowledge and experiences, particularly concerning tropical cloud seeding, increasing competencies in weather modification technologies, and encouraging regional cooperation centered on sustainable water resource management. UAEREP’s involvement underscores the significance of such platforms in advocating for joint research to tackle challenges related to water security on both regional and global scales.
The delegation from UAEREP is set to put forth the UAE’s groundbreaking role in the global arena of weather modification, aiming to spotlight the program’s valuable contributions to rain enhancement research.
Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and current President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasized, “The UAE is steadfast in collaborating with international partners to pioneer technologies and solutions that foster long-standing water security and climate resilience for forthcoming generations. Our progress in weather modification science is directed towards supporting innovative strategies for enhanced rainfall and sustainable water management, ultimately benefiting communities at risk. We strongly advocate for global collaboration and the exchange of knowledge as crucial elements in conquering worldwide climate challenges.”
Further elaborating, Al Mandous mentioned, “At NCM, we are committed to continually enhancing our local meteorology and rain enhancement capabilities, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. We are also keen on adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and numerical models, to guarantee precise and efficient management of water resources. Our mission to fulfill the sustainable development goals is at the core of our endeavors to sustain environmental equilibrium benefiting humanity for years to come.”
During the seminar, the UAE delegation will engage actively in critical sessions, presenting a case study on recent advancements in weather modification, alongside country-specific reports detailing rain enhancement initiatives. Additionally, they will partake in a technical session dedicated to showcasing the UAE’s research-to-operations ecosystem in cloud seeding, alongside a broader spectrum of rain enhancement research applications.
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAEREP, commented, “The ASEAN Regional Seminar on Weather Modification offers a vital platform to share expertise and collaborate with regional stakeholders on rain enhancement science progress. This engagement presents an excellent opportunity to extend an invitation to ASEAN participants for the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), slated to occur from January 28-30, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. We’re also encouraging scientists and researchers across the ASEAN region to present innovative ideas and project proposals as part of UAEREP’s upcoming cycle, fostering collaborations that could yield groundbreaking rain enhancement solutions.”
Along with these sessions, UAEREP will undertake a series of activities aimed at promoting collaborative and knowledge-sharing endeavors with regional and global stakeholders. This event will also serve as an avenue to showcase preparations for the program’s forthcoming 6th Cycle grant, presenting ASEAN researchers with a distinctive opportunity to engage in trailblazing rain enhancement research. The upcoming Sixth Award Cycle emphasizes five pivotal research thrust areas, encompassing Optimized Seeding Materials, Novel Cloud Formation Systems, Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models & Data.
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