Latest news with #MohammadAzman
Observer
19-04-2025
- Health
- Observer
Oman committed to social protection inclusion: ISSA
Muscat: In a rapidly changing world shaped by demographic shifts, social protection has emerged as a vital safety net for societies facing modern-day risks. While progress is evident in expanding coverage, nearly 3.8 billion people remain completely unprotected, according to the ILO's World Social Protection Report 2024–2026. In an interview with the Observer, Dr Mohammad Azman, President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), said the world is witnessing a dual reality in the field of social protection. 'Systems have evolved in response to global crises, but the pace of expansion remains too slow. At this rate, achieving universal coverage could take decades. This is an issue of global equity. Every unprotected individual weakens the global safety net and leaves us more vulnerable to future shocks,' he said. 'Youth unemployment is especially alarming — about 13 per cent of young people globally are unemployed, and we'll need to create 600 million new jobs by 2030 to match the growing workforce,' he added, noting that chronic health conditions now account for 74 per cent of all global deaths, placing increasing strain on health and social systems. At the same time, rising public expectations require social protection institutions to deliver better services — faster, more transparently, and with higher quality. 'The future demands systems that are resilient, inclusive, and innovative,' Dr Azman said, acknowledging that the existence of a gap between social protection systems in developing and developed countries. However, he stresses that this disparity is not purely economic. 'Coverage rates aren't solely dependent on development levels. They're shaped by policy choices and institutional capacities. Many developing countries ave made major strides — especially in health coverage — while some developed nations still struggle with gaps in coverage and benefit adequacy. What's needed is sustained investment, smart policymaking, and the sharing of best practices globally. Stronger protection anywhere benefits everyone," he said. Dr Azman said, 'What distinguishes Oman is its bold commitment to inclusion. They've extended coverage to groups often left out — self-employed workers, entrepreneurs, those in informal sectors. It's a forward-looking response to today's labour market realities.' He also praises Oman's integration of multiple pension schemes under a single Social Protection Fund (SPF), calling it a strategic move toward improved governance and sustainability. 'The use of digital systems and integrated data management has made services more accessible and transparent. Oman is building a system that's responsive, people-centered, and ready for the future." On the relationship between ISSA and Oman, Dr Azman said Oman actively participates in ISSA's technical commissions, regularly shares good practices, and has aligned its reforms with international standards. 'This collaboration has been instrumental in supporting Oman's bold reforms,' he notes. 'The 2023 ISSA Good Practice Award for Asia and the Pacific — awarded to Oman — was a well-deserved recognition of this achievement." When asked how Oman can benefit from global experiences without repeating others' mistakes, Dr said, "Learning from others doesn't mean copying them.' He encourages Oman to study what has worked well — such as coverage expansion, governance improvements, and financial sustainability — while avoiding complex, costly systems that may not fit the local context.
Observer
14-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Muscat leads dialogue on social protection reform
MUSCAT: Amidst converging global crises - from demographic shifts to climate change - Muscat became the stage for a landmark dialogue on the future of social protection. The Sultanate of Oman hosted the International Technical Symposium on Social Security Reforms, drawing over 150 participants from 16 countries and several United Nations organisations. Jointly organised by Oman's Social Protection Fund, the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the two-day event opened the floor for critical conversations on inclusive, future-ready social security systems. Dr Faisal bin Abdullah al Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund, emphasised the urgency of structural reform: 'We are witnessing profound transformations. From population aging to climate change, we must move beyond patchwork solutions and embrace innovation.' He highlighted Oman's bold steps under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, including the unification of pension systems and consolidation of benefits under one national framework. ISSA President Dr Mohammad Azman praised Oman's role: 'Oman isn't just hosting a symposium - it's leading reform with vision. The nation's model is now a benchmark in the region, as seen in its recent ISSA 'Best Practice' award win for Asia and the Pacific.' Kauthar al Bartmani, Director of Planning and Vision Follow-Up, noted the symposium's mission: to reflect on reforms, exchange expertise and tackle shared challenges across the region. The symposium saw three key themes emerging. They are: Population aging: By 2050, the global population aged 60+ is expected to double, placing strain on pensions and healthcare. Informal economy: Millions work outside formal systems, exposing them to economic vulnerability. Climate change: Environmental disruption disproportionately affects the poor, highlighting the need to link social protection with climate resilience. A dedicated Omani session showcased the country's reform roadmap, presented by Deputy CEO Shabib bin Abdullah al Busaidy. Additional roundtables with the World Bank, Unicef, ILO and ISSA explored financing models and strategies for inclusive coverage. Sessions spotlighted underserved groups - women, migrants and the self-employed - who remain outside the protection net in many countries. In his closing remarks, ISSA President Dr Mohammad Azman said: 'Reform is not just about programmes. It's about people. True protection means reaching every worker, at every life stage. That's when we create real opportunity and resilience.' What set the Muscat symposium apart was not only its high-level international engagement but its courage to challenge old models, openness to experimentation, and collective drive to reimagine systems that are equitable, inclusive and future-proof. Throughout the symposium, a recurring theme was the need to embrace digital transformation to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of social protection systems. Experts shared success stories of digital platforms streamlining benefit delivery, improving data management and reducing administrative costs.
