NCM to Hold Virtual Edition of International Rain Enhancement Forum in 2021

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM), which manages the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), announced today that the 5th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) will run in virtual format from 25 to 26 January, 2021.

Serving as a global platform for leading international and national experts, researchers, scientists and stakeholders to explore the latest innovations and developments in rain enhancement research, IREF tackles the most pressing water and sustainability issues worldwide.

Commenting on the announcement, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of WMO, said: “NCM has made significant achievements over the past few years in advancing cloud seeding research through its pioneering rain enhancement program. In hosting IREF’s fifth edition in a virtual format, we aim to continue providing global research community and key stakeholders in rain enhancement science with an unprecedented networking opportunity to discuss the latest developments in this vital scientific domain.”

Al Mandous added: “NCM’s efforts to accelerate the development of viable solutions for water scarcity have allowed the global community to address one of the most urgent priorities facing our planet today. We are confident that the upcoming edition of IREF will continue to provide top experts and researchers in rain enhancement science with a vital platform to enhance their research efforts and bolster scientific collaboration.”

For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), said: "Over the past four years, IREF has established itself as a definitive global platform to discuss the latest developments in rain enhancement science and technology. In convening the forum, UAEREP aims to enhance the UAE’s prominent role in stepping up global research to address water and environmental sustainability issues, locally and globally.”

Al Mazroui added: “Through IREF, the program has set an ambitious goal of finding more effective solutions for water security issues especially in regions that suffer from drought and water scarcity issues in close collaboration with our partners from across the globe. In gathering top global experts in rain enhancement under one roof, IREF 2021 will discuss ways to expand cooperation and develop innovative strategies that achieve freshwater security and sustainability. Furthermore, the forum will be an excellent opportunity to highlight the UAE’s prominent role in promoting knowledge transfer within the scientific community to achieve our common objective of global water security.”

At the fourth edition of IREF, held in January, 2020, UAEREP announced the fourth cycle of its grant program, and unveiled the results of rain enhancement research projects carried out by the awardees of its second cycle. Furthermore, the program highlighted the latest developments of its first and third cycle awardee projects.

The event’s packed agenda featured several panel discussions and key sessions that discussed the latest rain enhancement technologies and solutions to global water resource challenges, capacity building in rain enhancement, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in weather forecast and precipitation management.