logo
Oman participates in UN meeting

Oman participates in UN meeting

Times of Oman14 hours ago
Geneva:The Sultanate of Oman took part in an interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Oman emphasized the importance of the detailed report, which focuses on the legal and humanitarian dimensions, particularly the role of certain economic entities in practices that entrench Israeli occupation and exacerbate its impact on the Palestinian people.
In a speech delivered by Idris Abdulrahman Al Khanjari, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Oman noted that some companies provide services, infrastructure, or technologies used in illegal settlement projects. This raises concerns under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Oman stressed that addressing this situation requires effective commitment from states and relevant entities to ensure private sector compliance with international law. It also called for enhanced regulatory frameworks and monitoring tools to curb such violations, along with strengthened legal accountability mechanisms—including for parties directly or indirectly contributing to systematic abuses—to uphold international law and prevent impunity.
Furthermore, Oman reaffirmed its steadfast position in supporting international efforts to end the occupation and enable the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution to promote regional security and stability.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US tariff uncertainty looms, OPEC+ set to raise output
US tariff uncertainty looms, OPEC+ set to raise output

Observer

time13 hours ago

  • Observer

US tariff uncertainty looms, OPEC+ set to raise output

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Thursday after gaining 3 per cent in the previous session as investors are wary that higher US tariffs may be reinstated, which could cause lower fuel demand, and as major producers are expected to announce an output hike. Brent crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.65 per cent, to $68.66 a barrel by 0645 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude declined 44 cents, or 0.66 per cent, to $67.01 a barrel Both contracts rose to their highest in one week on Wednesday as Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, raising concerns the lingering dispute over the Middle East producer's nuclear programme may again devolve into armed conflict, and the US and Vietnam reached a preliminary trade deal. Still, there is increasing uncertainty around US trade policy as the 90-day pause on the implementation of higher tariffs will end on July 9 without any new trade deals with several large trading partners such as the European Union and Japan. Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies such as Russia, known as OPEC+ will likely agree to raise their output by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) at their meeting this weekend. With the uncertainty around both events, and the upcoming July Fourth Independence Day holiday in the US, "market participants will probably not want to carry too much risk into the long US weekend," ING analysts said in a note on Thursday. Adding to the negative sentiment, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday that service activity in China, the world's biggest oil importer, expanded at the slowest pace in nine months in June as demand weakened and new export orders declined. A surprise build in US crude inventories also highlighted demand concerns in the world's biggest crude consumer. The US Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday that domestic crude inventories rose by 3.8 million barrels to 419 million barrels last week. Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected a drawdown of 1.8 million barrels. Gasoline demand on a weekly basis dropped to 8.6 million barrels per day, prompting concerns about consumption in the peak US summer driving season. The market will be watching the release of the key US monthly employment report on Thursday to shape expectations around the depth and timing of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in the second half of this year, analysts said. Lower interest rates could spur economic activity, which would in turn boost oil demand. A private payrolls report on Wednesday showed a contraction for the first time in two years, though analysts cautioned there is no correlation between it and the government data. — Reuters

Iran committed to nuclear NPT, says Araghchi
Iran committed to nuclear NPT, says Araghchi

Observer

time13 hours ago

  • Observer

Iran committed to nuclear NPT, says Araghchi

TEHRAN: Iran on Thursday affirmed its commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, as it accused Germany of "malice" over its criticism of Tehran's decision to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. "Iran remains committed to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and its Safeguards Agreement," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. "The explicit German support for the bombing of Iran has obliterated the notion that the German regime harbours anything but malice towards Iranians," he added in response to a German foreign office post criticising the move. On Wednesday, Iran officially suspended its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, a move the United States described as "unacceptable". On June 25, a day after a ceasefire took hold, Iranian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to suspend cooperation with the Vienna-based IAEA. State media confirmed on Wednesday that the legislation had now taken effect. The law aims to "ensure full support for the inherent rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran" under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, with a particular focus on uranium enrichment, according to Iranian media. — AFP

A Gateway to Sustainable Gulf Renaissance
A Gateway to Sustainable Gulf Renaissance

Observer

time13 hours ago

  • Observer

A Gateway to Sustainable Gulf Renaissance

In the corridors of Al Bustan Palace in Muscat, during the recent Oman-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum, the gathering was not merely a stage for speeches or immature consumption of ideas; it was a laboratory for shaping the future. Around 70 Saudi universities joined forces with Omani higher education institutions, research centres, and innovation companies to forge a shared Gulf vision rooted in education and scientific research. This partnership is anchored in centuries-old ties of religion, language, and tradition, now extended by emerging geopolitical realities: Oman, gateway to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean; Saudi Arabia, the dominant land corridor and the Middle East's largest economy. The opening of the Empty Quarter border crossing reduced transport time between Al Duqm and Al Riyadh from days to mere hours, marking the birth of a commercial artery fuelling both nations' visions. The forum resembled a grand workshop for engineering the future, where political will aligned with academic enthusiasm. Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030 met on common ground: a shared belief that nations rise not from the depths of their oil fields, but from the cultivation of intellect. Investing in people yields returns that oil cannot during crises. This partnership draws strength from three key streams: cultural proximity rooted in shared religion and language; geopolitical synergy; and ambitious economic diversification focusing on hydrogen energy, AI, and advanced industries. These ambitions reflect in national plans, aiming for non-oil sectors to contribute 50 per cent of Saudi GDP and over 90 per cent of Oman's GDP by mid-century. This forward-looking vision naturally extends to education and research. The forum resulted in a concrete road map: launching extensive student and academic exchanges, joint research in renewable energy, biotechnology and AI, and establishing innovation hubs in Al Duqm and NEOM. However, realising a knowledge economy demands robust data infrastructure and legal frameworks. The two nations must adopt unified academic standards, enable seamless mobility of graduates and build a digital platform linking research to industry, ensuring that local innovation remains local. Education remains the cornerstone of national goals. Oman Vision 2040 includes raising university enrolment, updating curricula to stimulate creativity, and targeting top 20 rankings in global innovation indices by 2040. Similarly, Saudi Arabia is expanding its R&D infrastructure, increasing the number of universities and research centres and aiming to reduce graduate unemployment by 2030. The academic cooperation seen in the forum reflects urgent, mutual needs. The involvement of numerous Saudi and Omani universities opened the door to joint research, talent exchanges and innovation centres. Studies show that institutional twinning can double research output within a few years, translating into strong industrial and economic outcomes. The partnership should not remain confined to academia; there is potential for industrial collaboration, such as a tech-industrial corridor between Oman's Dhofar and Saudi Arabia's Jazan, focused on clean tech, food, and pharmaceuticals. To ensure implementation, a high-level coordination workshop is necessary, followed by a joint follow-up unit publishing semi-annual progress reports. A joint innovation fund should also be created, with proportional contributions from both sides to support projects for the first five years. Ideally, this bilateral project could scale to include other Arab countries. A proposal for an Arab Scientific Council, gathering ministers of education and research, could align regional priorities. Lessons from the EU show that successful coordination across diverse cultures and languages is possible with a centralised mechanism. The Oman-Saudi partnership is a seed to be nurtured by shared heritage, driven by strategic vision, and fertilised by digital knowledge tools. Let the Knowledge Dialogue Forum not be a mere display of ambitions but the first step in an active plan, of joint research networks, academic exchange, and innovation financing that values minds and shelters ideas. In this complex age, those who remain on the sidelines of knowledge are doomed to follow. Only those who lead the global scientific movement will shape history, not merely record it.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store