MUSCAT – The day reflects the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who affirmed in his historic speech: “Youth are the wealth of a nation, its inexhaustible resource and the arms that build it. They are its present and future. We will always listen to them, and sense their needs, interests and aspirations which will definitely be accorded the attention that they deserve.”

Commemorated annually on 26 October, Omani Youth Day is a tribute to the dynamism, creativity, and resilience of the Sultanate’s young citizens; the ones who continue to bridge the nation’s proud heritage with its ambitions for a modern, knowledge-driven future.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Omani youth, describing them as “an extension of the values established by identity and the authenticity embodied by their active presence in today’s world. From the nobility of the past to the glory of the future, from the originality of thought to the contemporaneity of influence, our youth—from Musandam to Dhofar—are the will of this extension.”

At the heart of Oman’s youth development efforts stands the Youth Centre, a cornerstone institution that plays a pivotal role in realizing the goals of Oman Vision 2040. The Centre has become a vibrant platform that merges intellectual growth with practical action, nurturing leadership, responsibility, and innovation among young Omanis.

Between 2022 and September 2025, the Youth Centre recorded 458,606 beneficiaries, delivered 380 training programs, and collaborated with 1,227 small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. In 2025 alone, 66 programs engaged more than 8,500 participants, while the Centre’s co-working spaces served over 104,800 individuals.

These achievements underscore the Centre’s role as a national hub for creativity and enterprise, uniting youth across disciplines and regions. Its initiatives aim to cultivate a knowledge-based economy fuelled by innovation and entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, the Youth Centre is embarking on a strategic expansion plan valued at RO 14 million, designed to strengthen its presence across all governorates. New centres are set to open in Nizwa (Al Dakhiliyah Governorate), Musandam through the Musandam Centre for Culture and Innovation, and Salalah (Dhofar Governorate). Additional branches are expected to be announced during today’s Omani Youth Day celebrations, each tailored to meet the aspirations and needs of local youth communities.