A high-profile delegation of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), will hold a series of meetings with leading policy makers and local researchers at COP22 in Marrakech, being held from November 6 - 18, 2016.

The delegation, led by Alya Al Mazroui, Manager of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), includes Mohamed Al Mheiri, Head of Media and Marketing Services and Sufian Farrah, Senior forecaster at the UAE National Center of Meteorology and Seismology.

The UAEREP’s participation at COP22 is an essential step in forging greater scientific collaborations in the field of rain enhancement science. Through establishing strong synergies among like-minded stakeholders, the technology linked to rain enhancement is expected to become affordable and accessible to more countries, and ultimately contribute to their economic development.

Speaking on the programme’s participation at COP22, Dr. Abdullah Al Mandoos, Director of the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology, said, "COP22 is closely aligned to our objectives of evolving interdisciplinary, collaborative R&D capabilities in carrying out advanced research. Through convening leading researchers, scientists and partners from across the world, COP22 provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science and explore global avenues of partnership."

While at the event, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science delegation will meet with key institutional and technical representatives from Morocco, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Sweden, the UK, France and South Africa.

In a bid to strengthen ties with these countries, the delegation will share insights on rain enhancement technologies, and the implementation of water security solutions and innovations in arid and semi-arid regions.

Alya Al Mazroui, Manager of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, said, "Through the programme, we seek to achieve tangible, innovative research results that will positively impact areas of strategic relevance for the UAE. Water security is one of the seven pillars of the National Innovation Strategy. COP22 is the right platform to highlight cutting-edge technologies and research initiatives like the ones we foster, fund and work on every day in Abu Dhabi."

In addition to networking with stakeholders at COP22, the UAEREP team will hold a panel discussion on November 14 at 5pm at the GCC Pavilion. Led by Alya Al Mazroui, the panel will examine the state of global rain enhancement research and the solutions currently being explored by the UAE and the awardees of the program’s first cycle.

Launched in 2015, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is currently in its second cycle. Research groups from Japan, the UAE and Germany led by Professor Masataka Murakami, Dr. Linda Zou, and Professor Volker Wulfmeyer were named awardees of the first cycle during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2016.

Since the commencement of its second cycle in January 2016, the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has witnessed widened geographical participation - receiving 91 pre-proposals, representing 398 scientists and researchers affiliated to 180 institutes from 45 countries.