Bringing about a change worth making has never been easy at any point of time, and in a world that’s a tangled web of connections and communications getting the message across successfully and without creating ripples of disgust and resentment requires a set of vital, winning skills.

Warm, well-spoken, patient and informed about the world, HE. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah sat with global leaders to get across the Sultanate’s views, policies, preferences and interests and helped prevent differences, disputes and miscommunications in the region and elsewhere from snowballing into conflicts and eventual wars.

Over the past decades Oman has maintained a unique foreign policy characterised by independence and moderation which helped formulate a decision-making process highly respected in all quarters.

Oman has distinguished itself as a player able to maintain strong working relationships with countries across the Middle East. The Sultanate’s skilful mediation makes it unique among Arab countries. Keeping this in mind, the Sultanate will fondly remember the services of Alawi who stepped down in August this year as minister responsible for foreign affairs after steering Oman’s diplomacy for over two decades.

Alawi is respected by world leaders and was instrumental in Oman’s emergence as a key diplomatic player in the region. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik honoured Alawi with the highest civilian award (Royal Commendation Order – First Class) for his contributions to the country.

Citizens and diplomats heaped praise and thanked Alawi for his extraordinary service to the nation. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “All thanks, appreciation and pride to Yusuf bin Alawi for his leadership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the past years.

I have been blessed to work with him for more than 30 years and have witnessed the respect he enjoys among his peers as a capable representative of Omani diplomacy in international forums.”

“Thanks for being a major part to make Oman a better place and share your knowledge around the world,” wrote netizen Sheen Al Farsi.

Omani citizen Mahmood Al Raisi said: “As an Omani citizen I’m proud of you Alawi and I stand in respect for those whose love for Oman is strong. Your name will always remain in the world of diplomacy.”

Alawi joined diplomatic service in October 1970 and became a second secretary in 1972. In his early career he was posted to Oman’s diplomatic missions in Cairo and Beirut before being appointed as Oman’s ambassador to Lebanon in 1973.

In 1974 he became undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was appointed as minister of state for foreign affairs in 1982. He became minister responsible for foreign affairs in 1997 and served the nation until he stepped down in August 2020.