Abu dhabi: The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) has unveiled its Sixth Cycle project, 'Rainfall Enhancement through Modification of Land Cover and Land Form (RAINLAND)', during a comprehensive roadshow across Germany from July 7th to July 11th, 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the roadshow began with a formal kick-off meeting led by Dr. Oliver Branch, Senior Scientist and Head Coordinator of the Land-Atmosphere Feedback Observatory at the University of Hohenheim. Dr. Branch, who spearheads the RAINLAND project, initiated the scientific and operational phases of the project aimed at exploring the impact of land surface and terrain modifications on atmospheric processes to enhance rainfall.
Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Chairman of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), emphasized the NCM's dedication to supporting UAEREP's engagement with global researchers and scientific institutions. He highlighted the importance of collaborative research partnerships in advancing rain enhancement science and technologies, positioning the UAE as a leader in this innovative field.
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, noted the significance of the RAINLAND project in understanding the influence of land surface processes on rainfall patterns, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The Germany roadshow, she stated, aligns with global research priorities while fostering partnerships that promote long-term scientific advancement and innovation for water security.
Throughout the roadshow, high-level meetings and institutional engagements took place in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt, focusing on opportunities for scientific collaboration with leading German research entities in atmospheric and environmental sciences. These interactions aimed to benchmark advanced German methodologies in statistical measurement, atmospheric observation, cloud microphysics, and atmospheric modelling to inform UAEREP's future research strategies.
The UAEREP delegation also participated in the Pan-GLASS 2026 Conference at the University of Hohenheim, presenting a scientific poster titled 'A Decade of UAEREP: Advancing Land-Atmosphere Pathways for Water Security in Arid Regions'. The presentation underscored UAEREP's contributions to rain enhancement science over the past decade.
Additionally, the delegation attended a presentation by Prof. Dr. Volker Wulfmeyer at the University of Hohenheim, which highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the scientific understanding of land-atmosphere interactions. The team also toured the Land-Atmosphere Feedback Observatory (LAFO) and explored advanced instrumentation supporting the Land-Atmosphere Feedback Initiative (LAFI) project.
The roadshow concluded in Frankfurt with a visit to the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany's National Meteorological Service, focusing on potential collaborations in operational meteorology, atmospheric research, and the exchange of scientific knowledge.
This initiative is part of UAEREP's strategy to engage with leading researchers and expand scientific and institutional partnerships, supporting future innovation and advancements in rain enhancement science.
