World Meteorological Congress underway in Geneva showcases UAE Research Programme

The UAE's innovative rain enhancement initiative is attracting significant global interest at the 17th World Meteorological Congress, currently underway in Geneva.

Launched earlier this year by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is designed to help arid and semi-arid regions overcome water scarcity challenges by using technology to stimulate rainfall. Managed by the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology, NCMS, the programme has received overwhelming response in its first cycle in the form of 78 submitted pre-proposals from scientific teams around the globe.

Dr. Abdullah Al Mandoos, Executive Director of NCMS and Permanent Representative of the UAE at the World Meteorological Organisation, WMO, said, "The World Meteorological Congress plays an essential role in highlighting the importance of addressing global water security. Given our unique geographical and environmental situation, we believe the UAE can bring a distinctive viewpoint and an energetic approach to the challenges we all face."

He added, "Through driving research on rain enhancement, we hope to generate results that add value to WMO's sustained efforts in preserving the earth's atmosphere, reducing oceanic and atmospheric impact on climate, and ensuring equitable distribution of global water resources."

As part of the UAE's participation at the World Meteorological Congress, Alya Al Mazroui, Programme Manager, headlined a congress event to introduce the research initiative to delegates and highlight its truly global nature in providing a platform for international collaboration and knowledge exchange for the benefit of around 700 million people worldwide suffering from water scarcity.

Commenting on the programme's early success at the congress, Al Mazroui said, "Our research initiative is designed to drive scientific advancement and the development of new technology in this area. Through our participation at the World Meteorological Congress, we are encouraging scientists and technologists from around the world to share their innovative ideas on enhancing and controlling precipitation with a view to developing them further."

2015 sees the inaugural cycle of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, when up to five projects will be selected as winners for the total grant of US$5 million that will be awarded over a three-year period.

A shortlist of the successful candidates invited to develop full research proposals will be announced in early June. Selected candidates are then required to submit completed final research projects before September 17th. The prize winning project proposals will be nominated and honoured at a ceremony in January 2016.

The 17th World Meteorological Congress, taking place from 25th May to 12th June, is a quadrennial event that decides on the strategic plans, budget and office holders for the WMO. As a specialised agency of the United Nations, the WMO facilitates international cooperation on the development and application of meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -