Oman showcases Youth Empowerment at International Youth Forum
Oman is represented by Ahmed bin Khalaf al Adawi, Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth for Planning and Studies, alongside H E Ambassador Omar bin Said bin Omar al Kathiri, the Sultanate's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
This marks the third consecutive year of Omani participation in the prestigious forum, reaffirming the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth's dedication to enabling Omani youth to engage with their international peers, share perspectives, and learn from global best practices in sustainable development.
The opening day of the forum explored youth-led solutions for a more resilient and inclusive future, focusing on key areas such as health and digital health (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and sustainable oceans (SDG 14). Discussions centred on the importance of integrating youth into national strategies and international development efforts, recognising them as key drivers of cultural transformation and innovation in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Forum speakers underlined the need for comprehensive youth policies that foster values of justice and dignity, and ensure youth are active participants in sustainable economic development for future generations.
On the second day, workshops and side events tackled themes including economic growth and decent employment (SDG 8), and the importance of partnerships (SDG 17) to achieve sustainable development. Members of the Omani delegation engaged in dialogue with global experts and fellow youth leaders, sharing Oman's experience in shaping Oman Vision 2040, which was developed with significant youth input and sets out the strategic direction for the nation's development.
The forum's closing day will feature high-level sessions during which youth delegates will present policy recommendations to global decision-makers.
Joining the Omani delegation are officials from the General Directorate of Youth, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several graduates of the Ministry's 'Youth Ambassadors' programme, which prepares young Omanis for effective global representation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
6 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Creative industries seen as bridge between Oman's past and future
Muscat – Creative and cultural industries are emerging as a key driver of Oman's economic diversification, with potential to link heritage with innovation and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nizwa, while giving a background, underlined that creative industries encompass sectors that 'rely on innovation and individual talent, and contribute to transforming ideas into products and services with an economic dimension'. These range from traditional crafts and fine arts to literature, publishing, music, cinema, design and digital media. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai 'I have witnessed significant development in the Omani dagger industry, silver jewellery and traditional weaving, particularly in the wilayats of Nizwa and Suhar,' Dr Hinai said. 'There is also strong growth in graphic design, digital content production and the Omani film industry, as well as cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and Muscat International Film Festival. This sector supports Omani identity and the local economy.' He added that the sector creates jobs in design, crafts and digital content while linking heritage with modern products to enhance cultural tourism. 'It offers high added value at relatively low investment costs and opens the door to global partnerships that showcase Omani culture.' For Badriya bint Mohammed al Fouriya, Director of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), the creative sector is also a platform for entrepreneurship. 'Riyada works to empower owners of creative ideas through training, technical guidance, incubation programmes and financing facilities,' she said. 'We also partner with cultural, educational and community institutions to invest in Omani intellectual heritage and produce renewed cultural content.' She stressed that the sector can increase competitiveness, generate income and create jobs if supported by the right legislative framework and skilled national talent. Murtadha bin Abdul Khaliq al Lawati, Director General of the Place and People Museum, underlined the cultural value of traditional crafts. 'Omani traditional industries go beyond function to become visual and cultural expressions of identity,' he said, adding that they have gained international admiration for their craftsmanship. While welcoming innovation, he warned against altering heritage products in ways that compromise authenticity. 'Industries linked to heritage symbols, such as the Omani dagger, should be preserved in their original form,' he said. In Nizwa, entrepreneur Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi's 'Nuzul al Manazel' project restores heritage houses using traditional materials and designs. 'We kept the original structure intact, highlighting the moral and cultural value of the place,' he said. 'Such projects promote Oman abroad as a country that values and protects its heritage.' Ambusaidi believes the creative sector can thrive if restoration specialists highlight the stories behind heritage sites and use modern technologies for documentation and promotion. 'Creative industries can connect past and present, strengthen cultural identity, and turn heritage into a sustainable cultural and economic resource,' he said.
Observer
7 hours ago
- Observer
Olive sector grows to 20,000 trees, 83 tonnes in annual yield
MUSCAT: Across the mountains, particularly in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the Western Hajar range, olive trees thrive in a revitalised agricultural landscape that reflects the nation's ambitious vision for food security and diversified income. The journey began in the 1990s with the introduction of 10,000 saplings from various cultivars. Some varieties quickly adapted to local conditions, laying the groundwork for olive farming as a promising sector. Today, success is not only in cultivation but also in production. In 2022, Oman produced over 83 tonnes of olives and 10,000 litres of olive oil. Yet, demand far outstrips supply, with more than 24,000 tonnes of olives imported between 2020 and 2022 — underscoring the need to boost local output. Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai Government bodies and institutions have supported farmers through free sapling distribution, training programmes and modern olive mills, increasing the number of trees to 20,000. Omani olive oil is now gaining regional and international recognition for its high quality and distinctive flavour. Sustainable growth, however, demands overcoming challenges — a mission championed by Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. His project identifies optimal cultivation areas based on climate and water resources, introduces high-yielding varieties, and promotes best practices in pruning, irrigation and fertilisation. Innovation is also driving the sector forward. By-products such as olive leaves and pomace, often discarded, are being explored for transformation into value-added nutritional and functional products. Research aims to enhance processing efficiency and create sustainable economic solutions for operational hurdles. These efforts form a clear road map — not just towards self-sufficiency, but towards positioning Oman as a significant player in the regional olive market. In doing so, Oman enhances food security and bolsters its economy by fostering an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector.
Observer
7 hours ago
- Observer
Omani-Bahraini expo feature 53 exhibitors
SALALAH: The fifth edition of the Omani-Bahraini Products Exhibition opened on Sunday in Salalah. The exhibition is organised by the Omani-Bahraini Friendship Association in cooperation with the embassy of Bahrain in Oman and the Dhofar branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). The exhibition will continue for ten days. The exhibition aims to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs from small and medium enterprises and productive families to showcase their products and improve their quality. 53 exhibitors from Oman and Bahrain are participating at the Salalah Gardens Mall as part of the Khareef Dhofar Season. The exhibition features a wide range of exhibits, including handicrafts, pottery and traditional costumes. Dr Juma bin Ahmed al Kaabi, Ambassador of Bahrain to Oman, emphasised that organising the fifth edition of the exhibition reflects the successes achieved by previous editions. He praised the growth and development of Omani-Bahraini relations in various fields, noting the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in opening new markets and promoting economic development. Radina al Hajri, Chairwoman of the Omani-Bahraini Friendship Society, said: 'The exhibition is part of a series of events and exhibitions aimed at strengthening trade and investment relations between the two brotherly countries, and providing a platform for exchanging expertise and establishing partnerships between owners of small and medium-sized enterprises.' Naif bin Hamed Fadhel, Chairman of the Dhofar Branch, OCCI, explained that the exhibition embodies a pioneering model of economic and commercial cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain, contributing to enhancing trade and investment exchange, thus adding qualitative value to bilateral relations. It's worth noting that the exhibition is an economic and cultural platform that reflects the depth of fraternal relations between Oman and Bahrain, embodying the spirit of cooperation and partnership between them, contributing to supporting the development process and enhancing opportunities for integration in various fields. - ONA
