MUSCAT: The Urban, Home & Building Expo & Conference and World Habitat Day 2026 officially commenced today at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), the event will run until 8 October as part of Urban October.

The opening ceremony witnessed the signing of development agreements and the award of tenders for residential, service, and tourism projects across a number of developments, with the total investment value of the signed projects exceeding OMR 1 billion, covering 20 partnerships, development, and tender award agreements.

These included three agreements in Sultan Haitham City, three in A’Thuraya City, eight agreements under the Sorouh integrated residential neighborhood and masterplan projects, and a development agreement in Khazaen Economic City. Three agreements were also signed for the development of an integrated tourism project between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), Qurm Stone Development LLC, and Al Bandar Development. In addition, two agreements were signed for the Kumzar Residential Masterplan with Detonator Engineering Company, alongside an Oman–Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the Council of State. The event also hosts the celebration of World Habitat Day under the theme “Adequate Housing for All”, with the participation of Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, as well as officials and housing and urban planning specialists from a number of countries.

The Expo and Conference brings together developers, investors, experts, and decision-makers to discuss the provision of adequate housing, the development of rapidly growing cities, and the creation of integrated communities that respond to the needs of diverse population groups. It also provides a platform to showcase projects and investment opportunities and exchange international experiences in urban development.

The opening ceremony featured the presentation of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, followed by the signing of development agreements and tender awards, before the official opening of the exhibition and a tour of its pavilions to explore the projects and services on display.

 As for Sultan Haitham City, the construction tender for the Rehabilitation Complex for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly Care Home was awarded to Saif Al Harassi & Partners, with an investment value exceeding OMR 12 million. The project will be developed on a 10,300-square-metre site, with a total built-up area of 28,000 square meters.

The tender for Package No. 22, covering the diversion of the wadi channel along the eastern boundary of Al Baraka Palace in Sultan Haitham City, was also awarded to Rawasi Road Survives, with an investment value exceeding OMR 14 million.

In addition, a community contribution agreement was signed with Aflaj Group to develop a sports and wellness trail within the city.

In A’Thuraya City, the consultancy tender for preparing the detailed masterplan for Phase Three was awarded to BIG, following its success in the international design competition for the phase, at a value of OMR 4.5 million.

A partnership and development agreement was also signed with Zawaya Group for Neighborhood 5C, with an investment value of OMR 45 million. The project comprises 220 residential units on a 72,398-square-metre site, with a total built-up area of 49,870 square meters.

Another partnership and development agreement was signed with Al Nama Real Estate for Neighborhoods 5A and 5B in A’Thuraya City, with an investment value of OMR 55 million. The project includes a total of 265 residential units on a 105,406-square-metre site, with a total built-up area of 65,766 square meters.

In Musandam Governorate, two tenders for the construction of a government school and a health center in the Kumzar Residential Masterplan were awarded to Detonator Engineering Company, with a combined investment value of OMR 5 million.

A development agreement was also signed with Mada Group for an integrated residential neighborhood in Khazaen Economic City, with an investment value of OMR 50 million.

Under the integrated tourism projects programme, a development agreement was signed for the Sultan Qaboos Port Waterfront Project with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group). A development agreement was also signed with Al Bandar Development for the Al Bandar Project.

In addition, a usufruct agreement and development agreement were signed for Yenkit Hills, one of the Integrated Tourism Complex projects, with Masa Al Qurum Development.

Within the Sorouh integrated residential neighborhood and masterplan projects, eight agreements were signed to develop residential projects across a number of governorates in the Sultanate of Oman, with a combined investment value of OMR 186,636,325.4, delivering 2,443 residential units across a total area of 1,741,290 square meters.

The agreements included the development of a project in Al Seih Al Ahmar, Wilayat of Bidbid, with Rowad Al Injaz Al Alamiyah (Dream Villa), with an investment value of OMR 20,862,598. The project covers 191,169 square meters and comprises 355 residential units.

A development agreement was also signed for a project in Wihi Al Murr, Wilayat of Bahla, with Al Mukhatat Real Estate, with an investment value of OMR 13,315,943. The project spans 151,600 square meters and includes 175 residential units.

Another agreement was signed for a project in Radat Al Busaid, Wilayat of Nizwa, with Kathban Real Estate, with an investment value of OMR 28,825,842. The project covers 194,296 square meters and includes 214 residential units.

In Al Khadra Al Jadida,  in the Wilayat of Al Buraimi, a development agreement was signed with Sorouh Al Buraimi, with an investment value of OMR 12,035,302.4. The project covers 58,250 square metres and includes 97 residential units.

A further development agreement was signed for Al Amjad Neighbourhood, Wilayat of Al Rustaq, with Bawshar Towers, with an investment value of OMR 2,746,640. The project covers 223,797 square metres and includes 271 residential units.

In Hayi Al Rafa’a Neighborhood, in the Wilayat of Suhar, a development agreement was signed with Meezan for Construction and Development, with an investment value of OMR 4,850,000. The project spans 325,869 square meters and includes 321 residential units.

A development agreement was also signed for Falaj Al Sham, Wilayat of Bawshar, with Al Daham Real Estate, with an investment value of OMR 57,000,000. The project covers 281,346 square meters and includes 430 residential units.

In Wilayat of Taqah, a development agreement was signed with Al Dhahab Real Estate, with an investment value of OMR 47,000,000. The project covers 314,963 square metres and includes 580 residential units.

The ceremony concluded with the signing of an Oman–Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding on housing and urban planning between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Türkiye, represented by its Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The first day of the program featured a ministerial session with the participation of officials from Oman, Arab countries, Türkiye, and Pakistan, as well as a flagship dialogue entitled “Adequate Housing for All”, moderated by Rania Hedeya, Director of the Regional Office for Arab States at UN-Habitat. The session brought together specialists in housing, public policy, and human rights to explore the dimensions of adequate housing and its links to development and community needs.

The second day focused on “Emerging & Fast-Growing Cities”, examining how urban plans and visions can be transformed into reality, the experiences of UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award winners, and the insights of city-makers from Seoul, Medellín, and Rotterdam, with lessons for Muscat. The program also explored the development of light rail stations in Muscat, as well as the role of public spaces and urban regeneration in enabling cities to thrive.

The third day focused on “Cities That Work for Everyone”, showcasing the structure plans for Ibri, Salalah, Muscat, Sur, Rustaq, and Nizwa, and discussing spatial integration to enhance productivity. The program also featured representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Khazaen Economic City, and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, alongside a panel discussion on homeownership and long-term settlement in Oman, the Investment Forum “Creating Value at Home”, and agreement-signing ceremonies.

The fourth day focused on “Housing Beyond the Home”, with sessions addressing the future of housing in Oman, designing inclusive environments for all, building integrated, connected, and livable communities, and urban regeneration and lessons learned for Muscat. The program brings together specialists in housing, social development, research and innovation, planning, and urban design.

According to the event’s official profile, the exhibition features 200+ exhibitors, with participation from 50 countries and more than 65 real estate developers. More than 100 urban planning experts and leaders and 20+ SMEs are also participating, giving visitors the opportunity to explore development projects, housing options, and ownership and investment opportunities.

The partnership with UN-Habitat and the hosting of the World Habitat Day celebration are among the defining features of this edition, alongside a programme that brings together policy discussions, international experiences, project showcases, and agreements linked to housing, services, tourism, and urban development.

The Expo and Conference is also accompanied by +20 events, including cultural gatherings, artistic and musical performances, and public competitions. The final day will feature a closing ceremony and awards segments, including the Oman Society of Engineers Hackathon Awards.