Minister meets with heads of diplomatic missions to Oman

Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi held the sixth annual meeting with Ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting included an exchange of views on current regional issues and an overview of developments related to national development and Oman Vision 2040 along with Oman’s foreign policy.

The Minister opened the meeting by conveying his appreciation for the role of the missions in Muscat in maintaining and advancing cooperation with their countries. He highlighted the opening of several missions over the past two years including the embassies of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine along with the World Bank office which reflects support for diplomatic presence and existing partnerships with the Sultanate of Oman.

Sayyid Badr spoke about Oman Vision 2040 and its ambitious direction in international trade, foreign direct investment, joint projects and technological development with a focus on the green transition. He said these priorities form key foundations for the next phase. He added that Oman aims to become one of the most attractive countries in the region for living, working and investment as well as a leading destination for tourist visitors.

He referred to the plan to introduce income tax on individuals in the future. He explained that this reflects a long term approach to secure sustainable revenue at a time when oil and gas will no longer be the main basis for social solidarity. He noted that a fair and proportionate contribution from citizens forms a financial pillar for a cohesive and resilient society which supports quality of life.

He noted the approval by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as an important step in aligning Oman with international human rights frameworks and a key contribution to internal progress. He said that people remain central to efforts that encourage and enable development across all areas of life and that human prosperity in its widest meaning is the true measure of quality of life.

On political issues the Minister referred to developments in the Palestinian territories and the tragic situation in Gaza. He said that Israel’s continued violation of international law through its occupation of the State of Palestine and military operations targeting civilians remains the most serious challenge to security and stability in the region. He expressed Oman’s appreciation for the countries that granted full diplomatic recognition to the State of Palestine which reinforced the global majority that supports the Palestinian right to self determination and the establishment of an independent state.

He also mentioned the ceasefire agreement reached on October 9 and expressed Oman’s appreciation for the parties involved including the United States, Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye and Palestinian representatives. He added that clear and repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which have caused the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, present a serious challenge to the credibility of the agreement and the commitment to it. He called for effective international action to ensure pressure on Israel to respect the ceasefire as a minimum requirement to protect civilians and prepare for any serious political effort.

Sayyid Badr said the Palestinian people must be genuinely represented in any future political process. He underlined that the right to self determination includes the right of Palestinians to choose their representatives and that any arrangements for managing Gaza should not be imposed by external parties or exclude any Palestinian group from the outset. Such an approach could harm the prospects of forming a unified national leadership capable of assuming sovereign responsibility. He said overcoming exclusion and allowing dialogue, however difficult, is necessary for real progress toward a just and lasting peace.

At the end of the meeting, the Foreign Minister thanked Ambassadors and the heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations for strengthening cooperation with Oman, and for their constructive engagement with internal and external developments.

In their remarks, mission heads expressed appreciation for holding this annual meeting and affirmed their commitment to continue supporting partnership and cooperation with Oman.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.