Kazakhstan and the World Meteorological Organization discuss climate cooperation and the UAE rain enhancement project in Turkestan

Astana, 15 May / WAM / His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandoos, President of the World Meteorological Organization and Director-General of the National Meteorological Center today in the capital, Astana.

During the meeting, ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of climate monitoring, early warning systems, modernization of meteorological infrastructure, and water security were discussed, in addition to following up on developments in the UAE-Kazakhstan rain enhancement project being implemented in the Turkestan region.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the pivotal role played by the World Meteorological Organization, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, in supporting international cooperation in the fields of climate, weather, water resources, and reducing the risks of natural disasters.

He pointed out that rapid climate changes require strengthening international coordination and developing scientific and technical solutions capable of supporting countries in facing environmental and water challenges.

The meeting witnessed the discussion of a number of climate issues of strategic importance to the Republic of Kazakhstan, most notably developing early warning systems, modernizing weather monitoring networks and stations, and enhancing the exchange of scientific and climate data with specialized international institutions and organizations.

The Kazakh President stressed his country’s readiness to enhance cooperation with the UAE National Center of Meteorology and benefit from advanced UAE expertise in the fields of meteorology, rain seeding, and applications of climate artificial intelligence.

The two sides stressed the importance of addressing issues of water security and water resources management at the regional and global levels, especially in light of the increasing challenges associated with water scarcity, drought, and rising temperatures.

The meeting touched on the UAE-Kazakhstan rain enhancement project being implemented in the Turkestan region, which aims to enhance rainfall opportunities, increase water reserves, and support water supply to agricultural areas, in a step that reflects Kazakhstan’s move towards adopting innovative climate solutions to meet water security challenges.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the project represents an important strategic step to enhance water security and raise Kazakhstan’s readiness to face the repercussions of climate change, praising cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and its pioneering expertise in the field of rain seeding and weather modification technologies.

He pointed out the importance of employing modern technology and scientific innovation to ensure the sustainability of water resources and support economic and agricultural development.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandoos stressed that the UAE-Kazakhstan rain enhancement project embodies an advanced model of international cooperation in confronting climate challenges and enhancing water security, noting that the UAE possesses world-leading experience in the field of research and technologies for rain enhancement and weather modification, which was developed over many years of scientific research and operational experiences.

His Excellency added that the National Center of Meteorology is keen to transfer knowledge, build capabilities, and exchange experiences with international partners, which contributes to developing innovative and sustainable solutions to support water resources, stressing that the project is not limited to implementing operational operations only, but also includes training and qualification programs for Kazakh national competencies in the technical and scientific fields related to rain enhancement techniques.

As part of the implementation of the project, the United Arab Emirates rain seeding operations team arrived in the Turkestan region accompanied by a specialized aircraft to carry out cloud seeding operations with the aim of enhancing the chances of rainfall and supporting water resources in the region. A reconnaissance flight was carried out to verify the readiness of the aircraft and the efficiency of the technical systems used before the start of full operational operations.

The team held a high-level meeting that included representatives of various government agencies as well as the specialized scientific and technical team, during which the technical and organizational aspects of the project were discussed and clear mechanisms for coordination and integration were established among all concerned parties to ensure the highest levels of efficiency and operational readiness.

During the meetings, the Emirati team reviewed the UAE’s pioneering experience in the field of cloud seeding, including the latest technologies and advanced operational expertise that have been successfully developed and applied, in addition to emphasizing the importance of exchanging knowledge and scientific expertise to support the sustainability of water resources and enhance water security in the region.

This project reflects the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Office, aiming to consolidate the UAE’s position as an effective international partner in supporting global climate efforts and developing innovative solutions to enhance water security and environmental sustainability, in addition to strengthening strategic partnerships with friendly countries, which contributes to employing scientific research, advanced technology and innovation to confront the challenges of climate change and water scarcity and support sustainable development at the regional and international levels.

The project is scheduled to witness the full launch of the operational phase tomorrow, as Kazakhstan seeks, through this initiative, to become a regional model in employing modern climate technologies to serve sustainable development and enhance the ability to adapt to climate change.

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