MUSCAT : It is a day when the national spirit of the people of this good land is embodied as they move forward with renewed determination to build their homeland under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

His Majesty’s pride in the honourable people of Oman reflects the depth of cohesion between the leader and his loyal citizens – one of the key elements behind the achievements realized during the era of the renewed renaissance across multiple sectors. Omanis have demonstrated throughout history that they stand as one united front, like a solid structure, guided by the principles of their tolerant faith.

Education and Higher Education

The education sector continues to advance in line with the priorities of “Oman Vision 2040.” During his visit to Sultan Faisal bin Turki School for Boys in the Wilayat of Al Amerat, His Majesty emphasised the importance of empowering students with knowledge in modern technologies and integrating these into the educational process.

The number of teachers has reached 66,379 across 1,303 schools, while administrators and technicians in government schools total 11,183 (4,420 males and 6,763 females). Special education schools employ 241 teachers and 46 administrators.

This year, 16 new school buildings were inaugurated across 9 educational directorates, built according to the highest safety and security standards.

Oman’s academic and research performance has also improved internationally. The QS World University Rankings 2026 included five Omani higher education institutions, with Sultan Qaboos University rising 28 places to rank 334th globally.

Scientific Research and Innovation

Oman has advanced 10 places in the Global Innovation Index over four years – from 84th to 74th – and improved its innovation outputs ranking by 23 places, from 109th to 86th.

Between 2018 and 2024, the ‘Competency-Based Institutional Funding Programme’ supported approximately 2,228 research projects, including 475 projects in 2024 worth RO 2.4 million.

Under the Strategic Research Program, 74 projects were funded, and 61 projects were supported through the ‘Ejaad’ programme for industrial research, worth RO 2.5 million.

Thirteen national innovation and capacity-building programs continue to support researchers and students, including programs that transform graduation projects into startups, the Falling Walls competition, and the National Scientific Research Awards. Omani innovators also participate in global events such as the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions and the Kuala Lumpur Invention Fair.

Development and Social Protection

Oman continues to build an integrated social welfare system supporting families, the elderly, people with disabilities, women, children, and civil society. The Social Protection Law redefined protection to cover all life stages, establishing programs for retirement, unemployment, maternity, disability, direct cash assistance, and savings schemes.

Since its launch, more than 63.6 percent of eligible citizens have benefited, with improved targeting mechanisms to ensure fair distribution of support.

Institutional restructuring of pension funds is underway, with the transitional strategy for 2024–2025 more than 90 percent complete. Smart and proactive services are being introduced, along with expanded coverage for segments not previously included in the system.

As of September 2025, active employers numbered 92 in the public sector and 29,370 in the private sector. Insured Omani workers exceeded 604,000, and more than 121,000 active pensions were disbursed—reflecting significant progress in the social protection system.

Disability Sector

His Majesty issued directives to establish a new undersecretary-level sector within the Ministry of Social Development dedicated to disability services. Royal Decree No. 92/2025 issued the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing Oman’s commitment to dignity and equal rights.

His Majesty also ordered RO 7 million for establishing a centre for the care and rehabilitation of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, along with studies to assess needs across governorates.
Children’s services have expanded, including the Child Protection Guide and the National Foster Care Guide. As of mid-2025, 83 children were enrolled in childcare centres and 77 in youth homes. Elderly home-care services reached 1,327 beneficiaries.

Health Sector

Health remains a priority under ‘Oman Vision 2040’, which aims for a leading health system of global standards. National indicators show clear improvement in 2024–2025, with Oman ranking 55th globally and 6th in MENA in the Legatum Prosperity Index (health pillar).

Ten new healthcare facilities were opened in 2024–2025, with upgrades to 7 hospitals and 21 additional institutions. Major projects underway include the National Centre for Virtual Health and nine hospitals.
Oman achieved significant milestones in organ transplantation, including the successful implantation of an artificial heart and the resumption of corneal transplants at Al Nahda Hospital. An eye bank is being established to achieve self-sufficiency within five years.

Several hospitals received international accreditation, and Oman maintained childhood vaccination coverage above 99 percent. The Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Royal Hospital scored 92.5 percent in an IAEA quality audit—well above global averages.

Legislative and Judicial Development

The Council of Oman continues to enhance institutional cooperation and legislative development by reviewing and proposing laws and agreements. Oman’s judiciary is strengthening efficiency, transparency, and procedural simplification, while oversight bodies reinforce governance, accountability, and sustainable development.

Environment and Sustainability
Oman ranked first among Arab countries and 22nd globally in the 2025 Global Pollution Index. The inclusion of the wetlands reserve in Al Wusta under the Ramsar Convention reflects its biodiversity conservation efforts.

Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Al Sareen reserves were added to the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Network, supporting both conservation and community development.

With 56 air-quality monitoring stations, Oman continues to monitor environmental changes and protect marine ecosystems along its 3,165 km coastline.

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources

By October, Oman recorded 449 agricultural projects worth RO 1.853 billion. The fisheries sector grew significantly, with 901,000 tons of fish production in 2024 (a 13.5% increase) valued at RO 580 million.
Aquaculture investments exceeded RO 1 billion in 2025.

Water infrastructure includes 82 groundwater recharge dams, 117 surface storage dams, 7 flood protection dams, 13 artificial rainmaking stations, 4,173 aflaj (3,050 active), and 3,480 hydrometric stations.

Youth Sector
Oman places great importance on youth as the foundation of the renewed renaissance. His Highness Sayyid Dhi Yazan bin Haitham Al Said emphasized on Omani Youth Day (October 26) that youth are worthy of trust and represent Oman across science, arts, technology, sports, and volunteerism.

Key initiatives include the Youth Ambassadors Programme, the ‘Ready’ future-skills camp, the Youth Excellence Award, ‘Thank You Our Youth’, the Youth Initiatives Incubator, the Youth Initiatives Forum, the ‘Tawasul’ Short Film Award, and the National Debating Championship.

Media Sector

Omani media has played a vital role in documenting national achievements and promoting the Sultanate’s positive image. In 2024, more than 50,000 media materials were produced across print, audio, visual, and electronic platforms, alongside 7,000 news bulletins.

Digital media expanded significantly, with the ‘Ain’ platform reaching 14.16 million views; the media portal recorded 12 million visits. In addition, social media accounts reached 6.48 million followers (up 8 percent), and newspapers and magazines recorded 39.95 million online visits.

Government communication delivered about 1,050 services, and broadcast hours across TV and radio exceeded 35,000 hours. International media published 1,064 materials and 3,887 articles about Oman in 2024.

Economy and Investment

In 2025, Oman saw positive economic growth driven by diversification and strengthened non-oil revenues. Public debt fell to RO 14.1 billion by mid-2025. Public revenues reached RO 5.839 billion, while spending totalled RO 6.098 billion, driven by development expenditures.

Non-oil exports grew 11.3 percent to RO 3.89 billion. GDP at current prices grew 0.6 percent in Q2 2025 to reach RO 10.171 billion.

Standard & Poor’s affirmed Oman’s credit rating at BBB- with a stable outlook. FDI reached RO 30.279 billion by mid-2025.

Investments in special economic zones and industrial cities doubled over five years to RO 22 billion, attracting RO 1.049 billion in new contracts in early 2025. Sohar Free Zone topped investments with RO 711.4 million.

Inflation remained low at 0.80 percent, with IMF forecasts estimating 0.9 percent for the year. GDP growth is projected at 2.9 percent in 2025 and 3.7 percent in 2026.

The Oman Investment Authority’s assets exceeded RO 20 billion, with profits of RO 1.585 billion. It achieved the 8th global rank in five-year returns among sovereign wealth funds.

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

Oman continues its principled foreign policy based on mutual respect, non-interference, dialogue, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. His Majesty conducted visits to Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Algeria, and Spain, and held meetings with UK leaders. Oman also received numerous regional and international leaders.

On April 12, Oman hosted talks between Iran and the United States on the nuclear file. Five rounds were held between Muscat and Rome with positive engagement.

On May 6, Oman announced a truce agreement between the United States and the Ansar Allah group in Yemen, ensuring ceasefire commitments and protection of international maritime navigation.

Oman strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Qatar and the ongoing aggression in Gaza, calling for decisive international action to protect civilians and uphold international law.

It also condemned Israel’s attack on Iranian territory and called for strict adherence to the UN Charter.
Oman emphasized the need for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories and urged the implementation of a comprehensive political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254.

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