Oman participates in Arab forum for equality in Algeria
Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, represented Oman at the forum.
This year's forum focused on discussing regional priorities to address inequality and social protection amid the crises facing the Arab region. It examined how social protection systems can reduce inequalities stemming from economic, environmental, humanitarian, and political challenges, while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
During a panel discussion on 'Financing Comprehensive Social Protection,' Dr. Al Najjar highlighted Oman's key national experiences and practices in this field, including the implementation of a social protection system to enhance financial and operational efficiency, diversify funding sources, and provide direct cash benefits to the elderly, children, orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, and low-income families.
She also addressed ways to strengthen integration between government and private sectors and civil society institutions to expand social protection coverage.
Emphasising that investment in social protection is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development and social well-being, she noted its alignment with the goals of 'Oman Vision 2040.'
The forum, attended by ministers, officials, private sector representatives, civil society organisations, and experts, facilitated the exchange of national and international experiences on reducing inequality in the Arab region.
It showcased best regional and global practices in social protection systems, their role in mitigating inequality, supporting vulnerable groups, and engaging stakeholders in solution-driven dialogue to enhance social cohesion.
Sessions covered topics such as 'Extending Social Protection to the Informal Sector,' 'Social Protection Under War, Israeli Occupation, and Conflict,' 'Social Protection as a Pathway to Reducing Inequality,' and 'Innovative Solutions to Strengthen Social Protection.' Discussions concluded with a focus on 'Global Partnerships for More Effective Social Protection.' -ONA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
6 hours ago
- Times of Oman
RNO commences process to recruit officer cadets
Muscat: The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), in coordination with the Ministry of Labour, has begun the assessment and admission procedures for Omani citizens to join military service as officer cadets (university graduates - executives). Applicants will undergo several assessment stages according to the RNO's recruitment procedures, leading to the final admission stages. The RNO is leveraging its administrative and technical capabilities to facilitate the procedures for joining military service and enlisting in the fields of honor and national duty. These strenuous efforts by the Ministry of Defense and the Sultan's Armed Forces to employ Omani citizens are in line with the plans and programs established to recruit citizens and provide the branches of the Sultan's Armed Forces and other departments within the Ministry of Defence with national manpower.
Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Shura Council committee discusses draft of Unified Customs Law
Muscat: The Economic and Financial Committee of the Shura Council hosted on Tuesday officials from the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Finance to discuss the draft Unified Customs Law for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States. It has been referred by the government to the Council for review within its legislative role as defined by the Law of the Council of Oman. At the outset of the meeting, Ahmed Said Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Committee, welcomed the officials, emphasising that their participation adds significant value to the discussions, given their direct role in implementing customs law on the ground. He noted that the exchange of views and insights will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a comprehensive and well-informed perspective by the Committee on the draft law. During the meeting, the Committee heard the observations and inputs of the officials regarding several provisions of the draft law, drawing upon their expertise and practical field experience. The discussions focused on enhancing the efficiency of customs operations and streamlining procedures to facilitate smoother trade flows at both regional and international levels, in line with GCC efforts to harmonise related policies and procedures. The draft law introduces several substantive amendments, including the rephrasing of chapter titles in the existing law, revising or repealing certain outdated definitions, and replacing provisions to better align with current requirements. Additionally, new articles have been incorporated to address emerging aspects of customs operations, thereby ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and economic integration among GCC states. The proposal comes after twenty years of applying the current law, underscoring the need for an update that reflects rapid global trade developments and modern customs practices. This reform represents a significant step toward strengthening the legal framework that empowers the competent authorities to perform their duties more effectively across the GCC. The meeting was held as part of the Committee's first session between the second and third annual sittings of the tenth term (2023–2027) of the Council, chaired by Ahmed Said Al Sharqi, and attended by Committee members.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Future-proofing Oman: Skills for the AI, climate economy
In lectures on history and culture at the German University of Technology in Oman, I often return to one enduring lesson: societies rise or fall not simply by their wealth or ideology, but by how well they adapt to change. Today, the twin forces of artificial intelligence (AI) and the climate transition are transforming the global economy at an unprecedented pace. For Oman, this moment is both a challenge and an opportunity to reimagine how we prepare our young people for a future defined not by certainty, but by transformation. The headlines tell a clear story. Globally, millions of jobs are being disrupted or redefined by automation, machine learning, and decarbonisation efforts. At the same time, new employment frontiers are emerging in renewable energy, green infrastructure, logistics, creative industries, AI deployment, and cybersecurity. But while countries invest in reskilling and education-to-employment pathways, Oman continues to struggle with a growing number of young people leaving school or graduating into a job market ill-equipped to absorb them. The challenge is not one of ambition. Oman Vision 2040 boldly outlines a shift toward a knowledge-based, diversified, and sustainable economy. The green hydrogen strategy, digital economy initiatives, and smart logistics corridors are all commendable. Yet without a workforce ready to power these sectors, our ambitions may stall on the tarmac. Higher education alone cannot absorb or employ the thousands of students entering the job market each year — let alone those who drop out. The solution lies in recalibrating our national skills system to serve both high school and university graduates through flexible, stackable, and practical learning tracks. Crucially, the original promise of AI must be remembered: AI was not built to replace humans, but to expand our cognitive capacities to solve humanity's greatest challenges. At its inception, the AI movement emerged in tandem with climate concerns — from modelling atmospheric behaviour to optimising energy systems and agricultural yields. AI's power lies in its ability to process complex systems, visualise future scenarios, and propose efficient pathways forward. In this sense, AI is not just a disruptor of labour markets but a tool to elevate human capacity to act decisively in a warming world. We need to train a generation not just to use AI but to guide it ethically and strategically toward the public good. This requires a national push for vocational education, apprenticeships, and certification schemes. Accounting, auditing, engineering technicians, AI application developers, solar panel installers, and logistics specialists — all are critical professions for which we can provide credible vocational and professional training. These pathways should not be viewed as inferior to academic degrees but as complementary tracks that are modular, mobile and recognised across industries. More importantly, we must institutionalise a system of multi-track mobility. A student should be able to shift from a vocational course into a university programme and vice versa. A young person in Sur who starts with a solar technician certificate should later be able to join a renewable energy engineering programme in Muscat, or start a green enterprise of their own. This fluidity is what will allow Oman to truly democratise opportunity. Countries like Germany and Singapore offer valuable lessons. Germany's dual vocational system integrates in-company training with classroom education, producing highly employable graduates. Singapore's SkillsFuture initiative offers all citizens credits and pathways to reskill at any stage of life. Moreover, any skills transformation must be tied to employer demand. Public-private partnerships must co-design curricula, co-finance apprenticeships, and co-own success. Incentives for firms to host trainees, offer mentorships, or co-certify professional programmes will be essential. And beyond young job seekers, mid-career Omanis also deserve access to reskilling opportunities as the economy evolves. Finally, we must do more than reform education — we must shift mindsets. Social prestige, parental pressure, and outdated ideas about success still funnel too many into narrow academic channels. A cultural campaign that celebrates technical mastery, creative skills, and entrepreneurial spirit is needed to expand the definition of achievement. The future will not wait. Every year that passes without bold reform deepens the risk of alienation and structural unemployment. But the solution is within reach. Oman has the vision. What we now need is a robust, flexible, and future-oriented skills ecosystem that places people — not just policies — at the heart of development.
