Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) - The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) announced its participation in the COP28 conference, which will begin on November 30 at Expo City Dubai and continue until December 12. The centre will highlight the UAE’s leading contributions in enhancing water sustainability and achieving global water security through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science.
Launched as a global research initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the programme aims to encourage and boost scientific and technological progress in rain enhancement.
The initiative offers a grant of $1.5 million, distributed over three years for each of the research proposals in rain enhancement. The NCM manages the programme, supporting research related to rain enhancement. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organization, said: “As the world looks towards the UAE again with the upcoming COP28, participating countries and parties will seek decisive outcomes to enhance global consensus on actions necessary to accelerate progress in climate action and sustainable development, making this conference a turning point in the history of climate action.”
“Through our work within the local, regional, and global climate action systems, we are keen at the National Center of Meteorology to contribute effectively to the global discussions at the conference. This includes initiatives like the Early Warning for All in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization, or through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, which has established the UAE’s leading position in this vital field,” he added.
At a side event in the World Meteorological Organization’s pavilion, the programme will host distinguished speakers in weather improvement fields from around the world, including the North American Weather Modification Council, the World Meteorological Organization’s expert team on weather modification, the Middle East Institute, and Georgetown University in Qatar.
The programme’s participation will showcase the UAE’s experience in developing rain enhancement technologies and processes through its 11 funded research projects, which have registered five patents in various fields. It also highlights the UAE’s leadership in using artificial intelligence, drones, and nanotechnology in its research projects and their practical application.
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “Through this participation, we aim to expand the international cooperation network in the field of rain enhancement sciences, technologies, and operations. We look forward to exploring new horizons to build on the achievements we have made to date in this field, in support of local and global efforts aimed at achieving water security.”
The programme also organises a special dialogue session at the UAE pavilion titled “Rain Enhancement in Facing the Problem of Water Scarcity: A Discussion for a More Efficient Climate”, where a critical discussion of the systematic benefits of rain enhancement as a sustainable and reliable solution to water scarcity is presented.
In addition to this, the programme’s team participates by presenting illustrative shows that showcase the UAE’s experience in the field of rain enhancement at both the pavilion of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the pavilion of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The NCM has a distinguished record of participation in the Conference of the Parties through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, starting from the Marrakech edition in 2016, through Glasgow in 2021 and Sharm El Sheikh in 2022.
