Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP)

The UAEREP team is thrilled to be participating in Baku Water Week for the first time. Particularly following COP28 Dubai, we were delighted to form new partnerships that we could carry forward to COP29 Baku and continue to engage in meaningful discussions regarding water resource management and sustainability.

The conference certainly offers a fantastic platform for exchanging ideas, fostering collaboration, and exploring innovative solutions to global water challenges. We have greatly enjoyed our time here thus far and look forward to conversations that highlight the importance of rain enhancement solutions in our regions.

For our team at UAEREP, we believe discussing unique water resource management solutions is a key focal point to addressing global water challenges and water scarcity in the region and beyond. Specifically, we see rain enhancement as a crucial component that can significantly benefit water-stressed areas.

We anticipate that the forum will touch upon various interconnected topics such as climate change impacts, technological advancements, and collaborative initiatives. By focusing on these key areas, we can collectively develop holistic and integrated solutions that contribute to the broader goal of ensuring water security for generations to come.

Absolutely, my name is Alya Al Mazroui, and I am the Director of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). The program is a pioneering research initiative launched by the UAE Presidential Court in 2015 and overseen by the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM). The UAEREP aims to address the critical issue of water security through advancing scientific research in the field of rain enhancement. Every two years, our program offers up to three winning research proposals a grant of up to US $1.5 million each. To date, UAEREP has awarded 14 cutting-edge research proposals. Aligned with the UAE's Innovation Strategy, UAEREP seeks to support the development of human capital and stimulate investment in research within this vital field.

During Baku Water Week's panel on 'Technological innovation in water management,' we discussed Azerbaijan's approach to alternative water resources, while I highlighted the potential of rainfall enhancement projects, while providing in-depth perspective on using rainfall enhancement as a sustainable and environment friendly solution for Azerbaijan and the wider region. Effective water resource management strategies, such as rain enhancement methods, offer cost-effective solutions to water scarcity. As water security is an essential element of national security, sustainability, and agriculture, our intention is to generate results that could have wider applications for countries that might benefit from advances in rain augmentation science and technology.

This forum is the ideal setting to engage with water resource management experts and stakeholders to discuss ideas, share best practices, and collaboratively pave the way for a more water-secure future. These interactions can foster partnerships and collaborations that drive innovation and development, as well as spread awareness regarding lesser-known water security solutions.

We hope our discussions this week will put rain enhancement at the forefront of viable water scarcity solutions, while broadening understanding around rain enhancement as a cost-effective, practical method of augmenting precipitation in arid regions.