Abu Dhabi: The first day of the 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) commenced in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, and featured an agenda filled with panel discussions and interactive presentations.
According to Emirates News Agency, the first day celebrated the 10th anniversary of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), showcasing its journey as a global hub for scientific research and innovation. Discussions highlighted regional and global water security, scientific advancements in weather modification, and rain enhancement technologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a focal point, with panels featuring experts and decision-makers from the UAE and beyond. A key session, a Fireside Chat titled 'A Decade of Innovation: UAEREP's Global Leadership in Rain Enhancement,' featured Dr. Nawal Al Hosany from IRENA and Dr. Steve Griffiths from the American University of Sharjah. They discussed UAEREP's strategic investments and its role in scientific research, climate action, and water security.
The plenary session 'Regional and Global Perspectives on Water Security' began with a keynote by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The panel, moderated by Tom Urquhart from Dubai Eye Radio, included experts such as Loc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, and Ayesha Al Ateeqi from the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. Discussions focused on climate change's impact on water resources and strategies for sustainable management.
The forum also featured a session on 'Artificial Intelligence for Weather Modification: Future Pathways,' with panelists including Mohammed Bin Taliah from the UAE Government, Hasan Al Hosani from Bayanat, G42, and Dr. Christian Ponder from Microsoft Research. This session explored AI's potential in climate adaptation and weather modification, emphasizing collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Another session, 'Hybrid Ai-Physics-Based Models and Data Science for Climate And Weather Research: Pathway To Weather Modification Applications,' featured experts like Andrew Jackson from G42, Bj¶rn Stevens from Max Planck Institute, and Luca Delle Monache from CW3E. Discussions centered on the integration of AI and physics-based models to enhance forecasting accuracy and the implications for weather modification.
The Forum, organized by the National Center of Meteorology through UAEREP, runs from January 28th to 30th, 2025, at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, focusing on Collaboration, Innovation, Capacity Building, Artificial Intelligence, and Applied Research.