emirates7 - Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) and President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), along with Professor Petteri Taalas, Director-General of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in meteorology and polar research.
The agreement was signed during an official visit by an NCM delegation to Helsinki, Finland’s capital, marking an important advancement in bilateral cooperation in meteorological sciences, polar studies, and the development of joint scientific projects, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
The MoU aims to strengthen institutional cooperation in scientific and operational meteorological efforts, focusing on sharing expertise and best practices, especially in polar research—a key priority in the UAE’s scientific agenda. This aligns with the UAE’s Emirates Polar Programme, which plans to establish research labs in both the Arctic and Antarctic, highlighting the country’s active role in the global scientific community.
Dr. Al Mandous commented, “Signing this MoU with the Finnish Meteorological Institute represents a major step in boosting the UAE’s scientific and research capabilities in meteorology and polar studies. We are committed to partnering with international institutions to exchange knowledge on equal and mutually beneficial terms. This cooperation will deepen our understanding of climate change and foster innovative solutions to global environmental issues. It will also new opportunities for researchers from both countries and reinforce the UAE’s growing influence in polar research worldwide.”
The agreement covers multiple areas, including integrating FMI’s advanced space weather services, which will greatly improve research capabilities and open up new possibilities for AI-driven data analysis and forecasting. The partnership also aims to support important sectors such as agriculture, aviation, maritime navigation, and disaster risk reduction through scientific applications.
During the visit, Dr. Al Mandous engaged in technical meetings and detailed discussions with Finnish counterparts about establishing Emirates Research Labs in polar regions, building joint research infrastructure, and facilitating scientist exchanges. They also explored ways to support fieldwork in polar environments and launch collaborative projects to study climate change’s effects on ecosystems and societies.
Conversations also included the ongoing reform within the World Meteorological Organisation, where Dr. Al Mandous emphasized the need to international operational frameworks to meet the changing demands of the global meteorological community. He further highlighted the importance of securing sustainable funding for UN agencies, especially amid financial challenges threatening critical program implementation. Dr. Al Mandous stressed that strong international cooperation is essential to maintaining and advancing meteorological services worldwide.
Professor Petteri Taalas expressed, “At FMI, we highly value our partnership with the UAE, which has shown strong dedication to climate and weather-related scientific research. This MoU establishes a practical foundation for exchanging knowledge and launching joint research, including polar studies and space weather services, which will improve global forecasting and enhance understanding of climate change. We anticipate a fruitful collaboration that benefits the global scientific community.”
This partnership underscores the robust bilateral relations between the UAE and Finland and reflects both nations’ commitment to scientific cooperation that supports sustainable development and global climate action. It also highlights the UAE’s prominent role in polar research and its expanding presence on the international scientific stage as a leader in innovation and knowledge sharing.
The MoU marks a milestone in the enduring UAE-Finland partnership, as both countries continue to strengthen their scientific and technical cooperation to build advanced capabilities aimed at addressing current and future environmental and climate challenges.
The agreement was signed during an official visit by an NCM delegation to Helsinki, Finland’s capital, marking an important advancement in bilateral cooperation in meteorological sciences, polar studies, and the development of joint scientific projects, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
The MoU aims to strengthen institutional cooperation in scientific and operational meteorological efforts, focusing on sharing expertise and best practices, especially in polar research—a key priority in the UAE’s scientific agenda. This aligns with the UAE’s Emirates Polar Programme, which plans to establish research labs in both the Arctic and Antarctic, highlighting the country’s active role in the global scientific community.
Dr. Al Mandous commented, “Signing this MoU with the Finnish Meteorological Institute represents a major step in boosting the UAE’s scientific and research capabilities in meteorology and polar studies. We are committed to partnering with international institutions to exchange knowledge on equal and mutually beneficial terms. This cooperation will deepen our understanding of climate change and foster innovative solutions to global environmental issues. It will also new opportunities for researchers from both countries and reinforce the UAE’s growing influence in polar research worldwide.”
The agreement covers multiple areas, including integrating FMI’s advanced space weather services, which will greatly improve research capabilities and open up new possibilities for AI-driven data analysis and forecasting. The partnership also aims to support important sectors such as agriculture, aviation, maritime navigation, and disaster risk reduction through scientific applications.
During the visit, Dr. Al Mandous engaged in technical meetings and detailed discussions with Finnish counterparts about establishing Emirates Research Labs in polar regions, building joint research infrastructure, and facilitating scientist exchanges. They also explored ways to support fieldwork in polar environments and launch collaborative projects to study climate change’s effects on ecosystems and societies.
Conversations also included the ongoing reform within the World Meteorological Organisation, where Dr. Al Mandous emphasized the need to international operational frameworks to meet the changing demands of the global meteorological community. He further highlighted the importance of securing sustainable funding for UN agencies, especially amid financial challenges threatening critical program implementation. Dr. Al Mandous stressed that strong international cooperation is essential to maintaining and advancing meteorological services worldwide.
Professor Petteri Taalas expressed, “At FMI, we highly value our partnership with the UAE, which has shown strong dedication to climate and weather-related scientific research. This MoU establishes a practical foundation for exchanging knowledge and launching joint research, including polar studies and space weather services, which will improve global forecasting and enhance understanding of climate change. We anticipate a fruitful collaboration that benefits the global scientific community.”
This partnership underscores the robust bilateral relations between the UAE and Finland and reflects both nations’ commitment to scientific cooperation that supports sustainable development and global climate action. It also highlights the UAE’s prominent role in polar research and its expanding presence on the international scientific stage as a leader in innovation and knowledge sharing.
The MoU marks a milestone in the enduring UAE-Finland partnership, as both countries continue to strengthen their scientific and technical cooperation to build advanced capabilities aimed at addressing current and future environmental and climate challenges.