08-02-2025
Unido to support Oman's green mining, decarbonisation goals
MUSCAT: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido), a UN agency specialising in assisting countries in economic and industrial development, has pledged to expand cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman in a number of strategic growth sectors, notably green hydrogen and sustainable mining.
The announcement comes as UnidoDirector General Gerd Müller arrives in Muscat on a 4-day visit coinciding with the celebration of Oman Industry Day, commemorating the historic visit of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said to Rusayl Industrial City on Feb 9, 1991.
Confirming the visit in a post, the UN agency said: 'Unido Director General Gerd Müller is visiting Oman to further strengthen cooperation and support the country in boosting and diversifying its manufacturing sector.'
The visit is set to build on longstanding cooperative ties between Oman and the Vienna-headquartered body spanning, among other areas, institutional strengthening, the mapping of Oman's long-term industrial development, phasing out of ozone-depleting chemicals, and climate change mitigation.
Besides delivering the keynote address at official celebrations marking Oman Industry Day, Gerd Müller will also discuss with Omani authorities the implementation of the country's National Manufacturing Strategy 2040, developed with Unido's support to help boost and diversify Oman's industrial base.
Significantly, deliberations will also focus on a number of emerging industries of strategic relevance to Oman's long-term growth. They encompass Oman's ambitions to venture into green hydrogen production, decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries, and sustainable mining activities.
Additionally, Unido has committed to supporting Oman in the development of a multi-hazard early warning system to strengthen the country's resilience against climate change impacts. The initiative is proposed to be advanced in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Considered the world's largest fund of its kind, GCF's objective is to assist developing countries with climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
Both UNIDO and GCF have had important roles in strengthening the long-term capacity of Oman to plan for climate change impacts. In March 2023, the two agencies joined hands with the Environment Authority of Oman and Sultan Qaboos University in the formulation of the National Adaptation Plan and the Climate Change Adaptation Policy, among other objectives.
