logo
Oman, UK mark 225 years of enduring relations

Oman, UK mark 225 years of enduring relations

Muscat Daily14-04-2025

Muscat – The 16th session of the Oman-UK Joint Working Group convened on Sunday at the Foreign Ministry, underscoring the enduring partnership between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom.
The Omani delegation was led by H E Sheikh Khalifa al Harthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, while the UK delegation was headed by Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa.
Discussions during the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring avenues for cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including culture, tourism, education, vocational training, environment and renewable energy.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
'I had a dialogue on boosting growth and clean energy in both countries. We also discussed regional security, jointly calling for the return to a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to bloodshed,' Falconer posted on X.
The meeting was attended by Mundhir bin Mahfoudh al Mandhari, Head of Europe Department; Abdullah bin Hamad al Riyami, Head of Cultural Cooperation Department; H E Dr Lianne Saunders, UK Ambassador to Oman; and representatives of relevant government entities.
On the sidelines of the session, the British Embassy in Muscat hosted a special celebration to mark the 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Enduring Relations, first signed in 1800. The event featured the unveiling of a commemorative logo symbolising the historic and deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rebuild aid consensus
Rebuild aid consensus

Observer

time3 hours ago

  • Observer

Rebuild aid consensus

In 2015, the United Kingdom's then-prime minister, David Cameron, stood before the United Nations General Assembly and challenged other donor countries to follow the UK's lead and back the newly-minted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for eradicating poverty with their aid money. 'We haven't just achieved the UN's 0.7 per cent [aid-to-GNI spending] target, we've enshrined it in law,' he declared. That was then. As heir to an extraordinary bipartisan consensus forged under the post-1997 Labour government, Cameron's Conservative government had established Britain as the most generous aid donor in the G7, and one of just four countries to meet the 0.7 per cent aid target. Now, a Labour government has torn up the remnants of that consensus, joined a global attack on aid, and set a course that will leave the UK among the world's least generous countries. The fact that a UK government led by the Labour Party, with its long tradition of internationalism and solidarity, has all but abandoned its leadership role on an issue encoded in its DNA illustrates the political forces shaping a new world order, notably US President Donald Trump's view of international cooperation as a zero-sum game played by losers. But it also challenges development advocates in the UK to focus on strategies aimed at minimising harm and rebuilding the case for aid. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision to cut foreign aid and channel the savings to an expanded defence budget ahead of a meeting with Trump. The aid budget is set to fall from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross Nation Income – the lowest level since the late 1990s. After removing the roughly one-quarter of the official development assistance spent on refugees in the UK, Britain will slip from ninth to 22nd in a ranking of countries' Overseas Development Assistance as a share of GNI. While there has been opposition to the aid cuts, a new consensus has taken root. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch applauded the decision to convert ODA into defence spending. The far-right Reform UK party's election manifesto called for the aid budget to be halved. When Jenny Chapman, Britain's development minister, delivered ODA's death warrant, she told a parliamentary committee in May that 'the days of viewing the UK government as a global charity are over.' Some two-thirds of Britons, including most Labour supporters, support increased defence spending at the expense of overseas aid. The UK is hardly alone. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which accounted for more than 40 per cent of all humanitarian aid in 2024, has been dismantled. In Germany, the world's second-largest donor, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new government will reduce an already-diminished aid budget. France is set to slash ODA by 40 per cent, while the recently collapsed right-wing government in the Netherlands, a longstanding member of the 0.7 per cent club, has decreased aid spending by more than two-thirds. The human toll of the cuts is already starting to emerge. The demolition of USAID has left acutely malnourished children without food, HIV/AIDS patients without antiretroviral drugs, and clinics unable to treat deadly diseases like childhood malaria. According to a recent study, Trump's suspension of aid could result in 14 million additional deaths, including 4.5 million children under five, by 2030. Cuts by the UK and other donors will inevitably add to these human costs. An already chronically under-financed humanitarian aid system now confronting famine threats and food emergencies from Sudan to Gaza and the Sahel has been pushed to the brink of collapse: less than 10 per cent of the 2025 UN appeal is funded. The political currents fuelling the attack on aid vary across countries. In the US, nihilistic anti-multilateralism has been a driving force. In Europe, fiscal pressures have interacted with right-wing populist narratives linking aid to migration, pressure on public services, waste, and corruption. Starmer now cites Russian security threats to justify deeper cuts. So, what can be done to rebuild an aid consensus? The first priority is to minimise harm. Maintaining the UK's £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion) commitment to the World Bank's International Development Association is critical because every dollar contributed can leverage $3-4 of financial support for the poorest countries. The UK could also make the most of a shrinking aid budget by channelling more humanitarian aid through local actors, rather than bureaucratic UN agencies. Still, tough choices must be made. There is a strong argument to protect spending on life-saving programmes, such as child nutrition, vaccinations, and HIV/AIDS, and for minimising cuts in areas where the UK is a global frontrunner, like girls' education and social protection. Even with a diminished aid budget, the UK could exercise greater leadership. With debt-service costs now crowding out spending on essential services in many low-income countries, Starmer's government could demand comprehensive debt relief at this month's UN International Conference on Financing for Development. Ultimately though, the case for aid must be fought and won in a public square increasingly dominated by right-wing populists. Political leaders in the UK and across the West need to communicate the hard truth that global challenges like climate change, war, and poverty require international cooperation. And they need to tap into the deep reservoirs of generosity, solidarity, and moral concern that define public sentiment even in the midst of our troubled times. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025. Kevin Watkins The author, a former CEO of Save the Children UK, is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics.

H M congratulates Saudi King on success of haj
H M congratulates Saudi King on success of haj

Muscat Daily

time5 hours ago

  • Muscat Daily

H M congratulates Saudi King on success of haj

Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Sunday sent a cable of congratulations to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on the success of haj season. In the cable, His Majesty the Sultan lauded the great efforts exerted by the Saudi government every year in serving the pilgrims and providing all necessary conditions and services for the smooth, safe and easy performance of the haj pilgrimage. His Majesty prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant Saudi Arabia permanent success in organising the performance of this sacred duty in the most perfect manner. Exchange of greetings His Majesty the Sultan exchanged Eid al Adha greetings over a phone call on Sunday with President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation, and Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere sentiments and best wishes of good health and happiness to Abbas and Sharif. He also wished the people of both the countries further progress and prosperity. In reciprocation, the Palestinian President expressed his heartfelt sentiments and best wishes of good health and happiness to His Majesty the Sultan. He prayed to Allah the Almighty for the return of this occasion on His Majesty at a time he has achieved more progress and prosperity for the Omani people. The Prime Minister of Pakistan too expressed his heartfelt sentiments and best wishes of good health and happiness to His Majesty, praying to Allah the Almighty for the return of this occasion on His Majesty for many years to come.

Women in Oman import handbags worth RO 9.5m in 2024
Women in Oman import handbags worth RO 9.5m in 2024

Observer

time6 hours ago

  • Observer

Women in Oman import handbags worth RO 9.5m in 2024

Muscat: Women in Oman imported handbags worth RO 9.5 million in 2024, marking a 37 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2023. The National Center for Statistics and Information said Oman has witnessed a notable diversification in the types of imported handbags ranging from materials to designs to international brands thus catering to the different ages and tastes. Part of this increase is attributed to the growing online stores that have become key players in selling women's goods. These platforms have helped provide diverse options, competitive prices and convenient shipping across Oman. Maryam al Muqbali, owner of one of the online stores, said that the demand for online handbag purchases has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, especially during festivals. "We've noticed that women are increasingly relying on online shopping because it offers attractive deals and prices, as well as multiple payment options and fast delivery services, all of which have significantly boosted sales. We always strive to import high-quality handbags that keep up with the latest fashion trends to meet the needs of women of all ages." Khadija al Balushi, one of the consumers, said, "I love buying handbags, whether from stores or online. In Oman, there's a wide variety of handbag stores, both in large shopping centres and small local markets, and each store offers different collections to suit all tastes. I often look for handbags that suit my daily needs in terms of quality and durability. Sometimes, I resort to online stores if I want new designs or special offers. But at the same time, I love shopping in person because I can touch and see the product up close before buying, which is important to me to ensure the product is genuine, as some online accounts might sell counterfeit items." She said sometimes she hesitate before buying, "because I'm not sure about the product's quality, so I focus on reading reviews and others' experiences before making a purchase. Nevertheless, online shopping has made many things easier for us, especially when time is tight." She said she has both original and imitation handbags, noting that she prefers the originals. She explained that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between original and fakes. She believes that the genuine product is worth the price. This increase comes within the context of the continuous growth of the Omani consumer market, especially during holidays, vacations and social occasions, which are periods that typically see increased demand for such products.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store