H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi, visited the UAE pavilion at the 7th World Water Forum, WWF, which is being held in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, South Korea, between 12-17 April.

H.H. Sheikh Hamid was briefed on the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science and its role in fighting drought and achieving water security.

The programme, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (MoPA) in 2015 and managed by the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), is aligned with the UAE's National Innovation Strategy.

The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is aimed at expanding global water security through promoting scientific best practices and collaboration in rain enhancement research. It works on identifying scientifically verified and sustainably implementable methods of enhancing precipitation to increase rainfall in the UAE, as well as other arid and semi-arid areas in the region.

The research programme also awards a total of US$5 million in prize money for five awards disbursed over a three-year period to encourage relevant research.

H.H. Sheikh Hamed also acquainted himself with the latest water and energy technologies being showcased at WWF, including the use of renewable energy by Abu Dhabi Masdar for innovative water and desalination technologies.

H.H. Sheikh Hamed expressed his delight at showcasing the UAE's initiatives at the World Water Forum and at the country's cooperation with the international community to find water security solutions and its vision for sustainability and future challenges linked to water, energy and the environment, three essential foundations for development, progress and prosperity.

He commended national agencies for participating in the international event and running programmes that serve the country's strategy for sustainability and innovation and encouraging different development initiatives.

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed also visited the pavilions of a number of other countries and international corporations at the WWF.

He was accompanied by Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, and Abdullah Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Ambassador of the UAE to South Korea.