The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, affiliated with the National Center of Meteorology, announced the start of implementing one of the projects in its sixth cycle through its tour in Australia, which brought together researchers, university leaders, and scientific experts with the aim of supporting the implementation of the project and strengthening international cooperation in the field of rain enhancement science.

The tour began in Melbourne, Australia, with a technical meeting launching the project titled “AI-Driven Development and Optimisation of Ice-Nucleating Agents for Cloud Seeding Applications,” led by Professor Linda Zou at Victoria University.

Launch of a project to develop and improve ice seeding materials using artificial intelligence techniques (WAM)

The tour also extended to the city of Sydney, where the meetings focused on emerging rain enhancement approaches, statistical methodologies for evaluating research outcomes, and ways to strengthen cooperation within the global rain enhancement research community.

Dr. Abdullah Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization and Director General of the National Center of Meteorology, stated that international scientific cooperation is a fundamental pillar in advancing rain enhancement science and developing effective solutions to address global water security challenges.

He noted that through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, they continue to build strong partnerships with research institutions and leading experts from around the world, enabling opportunities for knowledge exchange, scientific progress, and technological innovation.

He added that the Australian tour reflects their commitment to supporting high-level scientific research and strengthening the international collaboration needed to advance rain enhancement science.

Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science and Director of Weather Research and Enhancement at the National Center of Meteorology, said that the Australia tour provided an important opportunity to launch implementation activities for one of the projects in the program’s sixth cycle and to strengthen relationships with leading researchers and institutions in Australia.

She added that the two inaugural technical and institutional meetings established a solid foundation for project implementation and enabled fruitful discussions on future cooperation opportunities, scientific exchange, and participation in upcoming funding cycles of the program.

This contributes to strengthening the program’s ongoing engagement with emerging research trends and developing innovative approaches in the field of rain enhancement science.