News

European Military Delegation Visits Maritime Security Centre Muscat, 12 Jun (ONA) ---- A delegation from the European Union Naval Force Operation ATALANTA led by Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, Operation Commander of the force today visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC). Members of the delegation were greeted upon their arrival at the MSC by Rear Admiral Saif Nassir Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, Head of the Maritime Security Committee. They were briefed on the tactical roles and tasks carried out by the centre that contribute to the safety of the ...

Ten Omani Projects Qualify to Participate in London International Youth Science Forum Muscat, 12 Jun (ONA) --- The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation announced today the names of those who qualified to participate in the 65th edition of the London International Youth Science Forum in 2024. As many as 182 research projects were submitted for the competition, of which 25 projects were selected that met the conditions in the fields of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. The best ten projects were selected to represent the Sultanate of Oman at ...

Council of Ministers, State Council Office Discuss Integration Among State Institutions Muscat, 11 June (ONA) --- HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and several members of the Council of Ministers today received Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, and members of the State Council’s Office. The meeting was held within the context of coordination between the Council of Ministers and the Council of Oman. The two sides held an expanded meeting at the Council of Ministers building in ...

Oman, Mauritania Ink Several MoUsNouakchott, 11 Jun (ONA) —— Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister met in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, with Mohamed Zein El Abidine Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the President of the National Union of Mauritanian Employers (UNPM).During the meeting, the two sides explored means of boosting economic and trade cooperation between Oman and Mauritania, as well as means of augmenting joint investments in vital sectors.They also touched on opportunities to encourage businesspeople in establishing partnerships and exchange expertise in areas of common ...

Mauritanian President Receives Foreign MinisterNouakchott, 11 Jun (ONA) ——President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania received at the presidential palace inNouakchott today, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister.During the meeting, Sayyid Badr conveyed greetings and best wishes of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to PresidentEl Ghazouani and the people of Mauritania. His Majesty also wished bilateral relations further progress.On his turn, the Mauritanian President asked Sayyid Badr to convey his greetings and best wishes to His ...

RAM Launches 3rd Edition of National Leadership Development Programme Muscat, 11 Jun (ONA) --- The Royal Academy of Management (RAM) today launched the third edition of “Etimad”, the national leadership development programme for empowering mid-level and senior managers in the private sector. A total of 202 private sector workers and entrepreneurs will be attending courses as part of “Etimad” programme. The programme is implemented in partnership with Emeritus and in collaboration with Columbia Business School, Tuck Executive Education Programme at Dartmouth and the ...

National Committee for Emergency Management Reviews Integration among Sectors Muscat, 11 Jun (ONA) --- The National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) today held at a meeting under the chairmanship of Lt.Gen Hassan Mohsen Al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, Chairman of the NCEM. The meeting reviewed the level of integration among the NCEM sectors in terms of preparedness to deal with emergencies, enhancing measures and methodology of responding to exceptional cases. --- Ends/Khalid ...

Oman Vision 2040 Unit Issues 3 New GuidelinesMuscat, 11 Jun (ONA) --- Acting in cooperation with Alizz Islamic Bank, Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit today issued three guidelines on “quality management and institutional excellence”, “institutional innovation” and “application of Lean process improvement methodology”. The guidelines inaugural ceremony was presided over by HH Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd Al Said, Secretary-General at the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers. Speaking at the ceremony, Sayyid Dr. Munthir Hilal Al Busaidi, Deputy Chairman of ...

Foundation Stone Laid for RO 56 Million Hospital in North Al SharqiyahIbra, 10 Jun (ONA) --- The Ministry of Health today celebrated laying of the foundation stone for Al Nama Hospital project in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The project is currently being carried out at a cost of RO 56.05 million.The ceremony was held under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and attended by Dr.Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health.Dr. Ahmed Salim Al Mandhari, Undersecretary for Planning and Health Organization, said that the number of health establishments within the ...

Political Affairs Undersecretary Receives UN Envoy to Yemen Muscat, 10 Jun (ONA) ---- Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs received in the general diwan of the ministry today, Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen. The meeting discussed the developments in the Yemeni issue and reviewed efforts exerted with the parties involved to reach a peaceful solution that serves interests of the Yemeni people and maintains security and stability in the region. The meeting was attended by members of ...

Strategic, Defence Studies Academy Chairman Receives Zimbabwean Delegation Muscat, 10 Jun (ONA) --- Maj.Gen Hamid Ahmed Sakroon, Chairman of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies received in his office at Bait Al Falaj Garrison a delegation from Zimbabwe National Defence University. The visiting delegation is headed by Brigadier Francis Chakawia. During the meeting, the two sides discussed several matters of mutual interest, especially in the academic and training fields. The meeting was attended by Air Commodore Abdullah Faiz Al Dhafri, Director General for ...

HH Sayyid Shihab Pins Aviation Wings on RAFO Pilot Officers Muscat, 9 Jun (ONA) --- HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, pinned aviation wings on pilot officers after they passed out the flight training course. HH Sayyid Shihab also handed over His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup for Aviation to Flying Officer Khalid Hamad Al Majrafi, on scoring the top position in the course. The event was attended by Air Vice Marshal Khamis Hamad Al Ghafri, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Air Commodore Khalid Mohammed Al Abri, ...

Eid Al Adha 1445 AH Holiday Announced Muscat, 9 Jun (ONA) --- On the advent of Eid Al Adha 1445 AH and as per the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, it has been decided that the holiday for employees of the State’s Administrative Apparatus and other legal entities, as well as establishments of the private sector will start from Sunday, 9 Dhul Hijja 1445 AH corresponding to 16 June 2024, to Thursday, 13 Dhul Hijja 1445 AH, corresponding to 20 June 2024. Work shall be resumed on Sunday 23 June 2024. The Ministry of Labour pointed out that employers may ...

Crescent Moon for Month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH Not Sighted, Eid on 17 June Muscat, 6 Jun (ONA) --- The main moonsighting committee for the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH announced that the new crescent moon was not sighted and that, accordingly, Saturday, the 8th of June 2024, will be the first day of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH and that 17 June 2024 will be the first day of Eid Al Adha. This was unveiled in a statement issued by the committee, which convened this evening, 6 June 2024. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr.Mohammed Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments ...

Force Commander of Operation ATALANTA Visits MSC Muscat, 6 Jun (ONA) --- Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino, Force Commander of Operation ATALANTA, today visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC). Upon his arrival at the centre, the guest was received by the Acting Head of the MSC. During the visit, the guest was briefed about the centre and its various roles in maintaining the security and safety of the maritime environment. --- Ends/AG ...

Agriculture Ministry Signs Two Agreements in Shellfish, Algae Farming Muscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and Fisheries Development Oman today signed in Muscat an agreement in the field of commercial aquaculture (breeding shellfish). The project, which will come up in the Wilayat of Masirah in South A’Sharqiyah Governorate, has an investment value of RO 5 million. The agreement was signed by Dr. Saud Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, and Muneer Ali Al Muniri, Chairman of the Board of ...

Moonsighting Committee to Meet Tomorrow, Receive Reports About Dhul-Hijjah Crescent Moon Muscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- The main moonsighting committee will hold a meeting tomorrow evening (Thursday 6 June 2024) at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs to receive reports about the sighting, if ever, of the crescent moon of the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH. The meeting will be chaired by Dr. Mohammed Said Al Ma'amari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The ministry calls upon citizens and residents to look out for the crescent moon and report to field teams in ...

Oman Marks World Environment Day Muscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- Represented by the Environment Authority, the Sultanate of Oman today joined other countries in celebrating World Environment Day, which falls on 5 June every year. Under the motto of “Our Land, Our Future”, the event this year focuses on restoring lands, resisting desertification and building drought resistance strategies. The celebration seeks to raise awareness about environmental issues, encourage communities to protect the environment and strengthen environmental policies at the local, national and ...

Oman participates in Arab Forum for Equality in Cairo Cairo, 5 Jun (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Social Development, participated in the 3rd Arab Forum for Equality, held in Cairo under the theme “Addressing Inequality in Times of Multiple Crises.” Oman’s delegation was headed by Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development. The forum was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in cooperation with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the Pathfinders Group “For ...

Government Units Review Oman Vision 2040 Strategic Plans, ProgrammesMuscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit today held its second annual meeting with members of government-unit-based-offices tasked with implementing the Vision. The meeting, held in Muscat, reviewed strategic plans and programmes to achieve the vision’s objectives, the progress made in related projects and proposed solutions to address the challenges posed to the project’s implementation. During the meeting, a “Vision Offices Guide” was issued to streamline the efforts of Oman ...

Sohar University Is 2nd University in Oman to be Ranked in QS World University Rankings Muscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- Sohar University ranked second locally, and the first university among private universities and colleges to enter the QS World University Rankings, as it was included in the category (1001-1200) universities worldwide. This achievement comes as a translation of the efforts made by the university at various academic and research levels, which contributes to achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Sohar University adopted a focused approach to reach this ...

SQU Ranked 362 in QS World University Ranking Muscat, 5 Jun (ONA) --- Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) advanced 92 places and ranked 362, achieving its best ranking in the QS World University Ranking (QS). SQU witnessed a significant increase in several indicators in QS, including: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, and the Sustainability. The university’s investment in its close and long-standing relationships with collaborating academics and researchers from various countries around the world, and through the academic ...

Oman Participates in Meeting of GCC Higher Education Ministers Doha, 4 Jun (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, today took part in the 24th meeting of GCC ministers of higher education and research, held in Doha, the State of Qatar. Oman’s delegation was headed by Dr. Bakhit Ahmed Al Mahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Higher Education. The meeting discussed a spectrum of topics, namely matters related to higher education and research. It also approved several ...

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Meets Kuwaiti Counterpart Kuwait, 4 Jun (ONA) --- Khalid Hashel Al Muselhi, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Administrative and Financial Affairs today held a meeting with Sheikh Jarrah Al Jaber Al Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations and discussed several matters of common concern. The meeting was attended by Dr. Saleh Amer Al Kharousi, Ambassador of Oman to Kuwait and some officials from both sides. --- Ends/Anas/AH ...

Oman Participates in Arab Forum for Environment 2024 in Riyadh Riyadh, 4 Jun (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Environment Authority is currently taking part in Arab Forum for Environment under the theme "Restore Land to Build Resilience." Oman’s delegation to the forum is headed by Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority. The event, held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is organized the Secretariat General of the Arab League, in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme's West Asia Office. It discusses four ...

GCC Occupational Health Meet Discusses Strategies to Manage Work-Related Stress Muscat, 4 Jun (ONA) --- The 10th GCC Conference on Occupational Health and Safety kicked off in Muscat today under the theme of “Welfare and Ideal Health at Work”. HH Sayyid Faris Fatik Al Said presided over the opening of the two-day conference, organized by the Ministry of Labour. The conference lays emphasis on the significance of observing occupational health and mental health at the workplace. It elaborates on the extend to which occupational health influences success and ...

Oman Ranks 2nd Among GCC States, 2nd at ME Level in Environmental Performance Index 2024Muscat, 3 Jun (ONA) --- Statistics from the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) show that the Sultanate of Oman took second place among GCC states and that it occupied second position in the Middle East.This was unveiled by the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Yale in the United States.Oman advanced 99 places. Its score in the EPI stood at 51.9 points out of 100. This places Oman in the 50th position, up from the 149th position in 2022 from among 180 world ...

Oman Participates in 15th Meeting of ESCWA Social Development Committee in Cairo Cairo, 3 Jun (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Social Development, the Sultanate of Oman took part in the 15th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), held in Cairo. Oman’s delegation was headed by Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development. The meeting discussed the problem of escalating inequalities that emanate from a succession of crises in some countries, population segments in the Arab region, means to address common ...

Kuwaiti Military Delegation Visits NDC, Command and Staff College Muscat, 3 Jun (ONA) --- A delegation from Mubarak Al Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College of the State of Kuwait today visited the National Defence College. Upon the arrival of the visitors at the academy, they were received by Rear Admiral Ali Abdullah Al Shidi, Commandant of the NDC. During the meeting, the two sides discussed several matters of mutual interest, especially in academic and training spheres. The visitors were also briefed about the college and its facilities. They also toured its ...

Omani Hajj Mission Leaves for Holy Lands Muscat, 2 Jun (ONA) --- The Omani Hajj mission for Hijri year 1445 AH left the Sultanate of Oman today en route to the Holy Lands. The mission was seen off upon its departure at Muscat International Airport by Dr. Mohammed Said Al Ma’amari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, and officials from the Ministry. The mission is headed by Sultan Said Al Hinai. As soon as it arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the mission is scheduled to immediately head to its headquarters in Mecca. During its presence in ...