The 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) kicked off today in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The event, running until January 30 at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, is organized by the National Center of Meteorology through the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP).
Marking UAEREP’s 10th anniversary, the forum’s first day featured discussions on global water security, artificial intelligence in weather modification, and advancements in rain enhancement science. A Fireside Chat between Dr. Nawal Al Hosany and Dr. Steve Griffiths highlighted UAEREP’s contributions to scientific innovation.
A high-level plenary session, moderated by Tom Urquhart, featured a keynote by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak. Experts debated climate change’s impact on water resources and sustainable management strategies.
Sessions also explored AI applications in climate forecasting and hybrid AI-physics models for weather research, with contributions from leading scientists and policymakers. The forum continues with discussions on innovation, collaboration, and applied research in rain enhancement.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
