The fifth International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF), held virtually under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, convened top global experts in rain enhancement science over its two days run.
The event was organized by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) from 25 to 26 January, 2021.
As part of its packed agenda, IREF 2021 examined several key topics relevant to rain enhancement research by attracting 30 international experts and researchers who addressed its various sessions.Drawing the participation of high-level representatives from various local and international agencies, the sessions facilitated productive discussions among the prominent cloud-seeding experts in attendance from across the globe.
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and President of the Regional Association II (Asia), said: “The fifth International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) has registered a strong participation, validating the event’s status as an important platform for leading international experts and researchers to discuss the latest developments in rain enhancement research and science. We are confident that the event’s outcomes will contribute to building a robust knowledge base in this crucial research domain, while supporting the future research efforts to increase precipitation. This will go a long way in securing sustainable water resources across the globe, especially in regions that face severe water scarcity.”
For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), said: “The fifth edition of IREF has reiterated the importance of international research collaboration to find science-based solutions to water scarcity challenges. The diverse ideas and studies presented by researchers and experts over the event’s two days run will significantly enhance our cloud-seeding capabilities to achieve the desired results through harnessing the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence.”
Al Mazroui added: “Rain enhancement has proven to be an effective tool to sustain water resources. At UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, we look forward to receiving innovative project proposals as part of the program’s fourth cycle launched during the forum. We are confident that with the collective efforts of the international scientific community, we will succeed in ensuring sustainability and greater access to water resources to everyone around the world.”
Over the course of two days, the participants at IREF examined a wide range of topics and studies related to cloud seeding through several expert-led presentations and key sessions. The event’s agenda on day one featured presentations on ‘Delivery Mechanism of Novel Nano – coated Seeding Salts into Clouds: Process and Challenges’, ‘Comparison of the Efficiency of Different Seeding Materials by using 1D Parcel Method’, ‘High Performance Computing and AI analytics capabilities at G42 in support of UAE Rain Enhancement Program’, ‘Predicting the Susceptibility of Mixed-Phase Clouds to Hygroscopic Seeding’, ‘Progress toward Autonomous Targeted Observation and Seeding Using Unmanned Aircraft’ and ‘Intelligent Systems in Rain Enhancement Technology’.
On the second day, the event included presentations on ‘Exploring Possibilities of Artificial Clouds Formation – Preliminary Theoretical Results and a Unique Equipment for Initiation of Artificial Convection’, ‘Aerosol, Cloud, Precipitation, and Rain Enhancement in the Gulf – An Overview of the UAE-NATURE Research’, ‘In Situ Measurements of Cloud and Aerosol Microphysical Properties in Summertime Convective Clouds over Eastern United Arab Emirates’ and ‘Electrical Aspects of Rainfall Generation: Latest Results’. Other topics und the scanner included ‘Porous Nanoparticles: Their Potential for Cold Cloud Seeding’, ‘Toward a Unified Multi-Component Atmospheric Model for Rain Enhancement Applications in the UAE’, ‘Convection over the United Arab Emirates and Implications for Cloud Seeding Operations: Observations and Modelling’, ‘Role of Aerosols in Efficient Cloud Seeding – Key Findings from the OASIS Project’, ‘Airborne Investigations of the Microphysics of UAE Cumulus Congestus Clouds and Potential for Rain Enhancement’, and ‘Advances in Evaluating Cloud Seeding Impacts by Coupling Observations and Models’.
Hosted by the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, IREF serves as a global platform to bring together leading international and national experts, researchers, scientists and stakeholders to tackle pressing water and sustainability issues worldwide.