Abu Dhabi-UAE: – The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), highlighted the UAE’s pioneering efforts in advancing the science and technology of rain enhancement during its participation in AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2022, held in Chicago, Illinois, USA from 12-16 December 2022.

During the event, the UAEREP team introduced the scientific community to the targeted research areas and the application process for the program’s Fifth Cycle and invited them to attend the 6th edition of the International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) in January 2023.

The team also held several meetings with potential applicants for the 5th Cycle, including researchers from prominent foundations and universities such as American Meteorological society (AMS), National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA Ames Research Center, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Oklahoma, University of Washington, University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, Hokkaido university in Japan, and other international research entities to discuss the areas of mutual research interest and highlight the key topics focused by the program’s upcoming cycle including enhancing cloud formation.

The team also met with Dr. Lulin Xue, a third cycle awardee and the Chief Scientist at Hua Xin Chuang Zhi Science and Technology LLC, who is working on an innovative research approach to rain enhancement titled ‘Using advanced experimental - Numerical approaches to untangle rain enhancement’ and discussed the latest progress in his research project. A meeting was also held with a group of Emirati students pursuing their higher education in Chicago to brief them about the program’s vision, objectives, and the achievements of its awardees.

Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “Our participation in AGU Fall Meeting 2022 reiterates the UAEREP’s continued commitment to working with scientists and experts from like-minded organizations worldwide to address the key issues affecting our planet, environment and natural resources. As an internationally recognized gathering dedicated to the advancement of Earth and space science and science-society topics, the event also serves as an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the program’s role as a global hub for promoting rain enhancement techniques and applications and encourage the participating delegates to submit their proposals for UAEREP’s Fifth Cycle.”

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) announced during its participation in recently concluded COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt the targeted research areas for the program’s Fifth Cycle research projects, with a focus on two high-priority areas:  enhancing cloud formation and rain enhancement. The program is set to launch its Fifth Cycle on the sidelines of 6th International Rain Enhancement Forum on 24 January 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

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