emirates7 - The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), through the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), has concluded its latest roadfeaturing successful and highly productive meetings exploring new scientific breakthroughs with institutions and stakeholders across the United States (US).

During the visit, the delegation reached out to existing and potential collaborators in various disciplines of meteorology and rain enhancement research in Los Angeles and New York to exchange ideas on further collaborative opportunities and encourage applications for its upcoming 5th Cycle beginning in 2023. The US visits complemented the programme’s ongoing roadin the UAE to share insights and experiences.

The delegation's itinerary included meetings at the University of California San Diego, the UAE Consulates in Los Angeles and New York, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority in Riverside, California, Colombia University in New York, and the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

The UAEREP team also met with a group of Emirati students enrolled in local universities in both cities to highlight the programme.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of the National Centre for Meteorology, and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), said, "The success of the US roaddemonstrates the UAEREP’s international prominence as a focal point for new scientific and technological breakthroughs. Through its support for promising scientific projects and commitment to help advance global rain enhancement, we are continually seeking to build up international and local research capacities, while deepening our ties with leaders and institutions across the globe that share our vision of a world free from water scarcity."

Commenting on the visits, Alya Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, noted, "Through such local and international engagements, we will continue to open new avenues for collaboration with our partners to help advance rain enhancement research and develop new solutions to strengthen global water security."

As part of the roadshow, the delegation held a meeting with Dr. Luca Delle Monache and other stakeholders at the Centre for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. As the programme's latest awardee, Dr. Delle Monache is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve precipitation estimates and enable enhanced forecasting and cloud targeting.

Before departing to the US, the UAEREP delegation met with Dr. Ray O. Johnson, the CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, to discuss possible collaborative opportunities and the priorities of the programme’s 5th cycle starting in 2023.

Launched by the Ministry of Presidential Court and managed by the NCM, the UAEREP’s active international engagement has already assured its position in the global quest to address water security challenges through innovative scientific and technical research.

The programme will continue its local roadthis year by visiting the topmost universities and research institutions in the UAE.