The UAE’s efforts to improve global water security through cloud-seeding technology have been highlighted at the Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow.
Experts from the National Centre of Meteorology took part in a discussion session titled, Rain Enhancement: Innovative Solutions to Attain Water Security.
There is an urgent need for action to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on countries and governments
Dr Abdulla Al Mandous,
NCM
NCM director Dr Abdulla Al Mandous and Alya Al Mazroui, director of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science outlined the country’s rain enhancement technology and research programme.
They said the UAE’s cloud-seeding operations have increased understanding of this growing scientific field.
The country has developed more than 100 meteorological stations, a network of countrywide radars, custom-designed aircraft and a factory to produce high-quality hygroscopic salt flares for seeding.
Furthermore, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science has awarded around $10 million in grants to scientists.
Dr Al Mandous said the UAE is committed to finding innovative and viable solutions to address global water shortages.
“There is an urgent need for action to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on countries and governments,” he said.
Ms Al Mazroui called for further research into cloud seeding.
“We aim to deepen our collective resolve to find reliable, feasible and cost-effective solutions such as cloud seeding to address water scarcity and achieve water security,” said Ms Al Mazroui.
She said the results of the programme’s fourth research cycle will be announced in January.
The UAE delegation has had a busy week at the Cop26 climate talks, meeting with government officials, campaigners and business people.
The country hopes to host Cop28 in Abu Dhabi in 2023, and has received wide endorsement from the GCC, Asean and this week, the UN's Asia-Pacific Group.
How cloud seeding works
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
