Oman Highlights Five Decades of Strategic Partnership with UNESCO
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman has reaffirmed the depth of its longstanding partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlighting more than five decades of cooperation in preserving cultural heritage, advancing education and science, and promoting sustainable development and international peace.
Speaking to the Oman News Agency (ONA), Oman’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Amna Salim Al Balushi, said the country’s relationship with UNESCO dates back to its accession to the organisation in 1972, marking a major milestone in Oman’s international engagement.
She said the establishment of Oman’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris has played a vital role in coordinating cooperation with member states, strengthening the country’s participation in UNESCO committees and councils, and enhancing its presence in regional and international forums. She noted that the creation of the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in 1974 further institutionalised cooperation at the national level.
Al Balushi recalled that the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s visit to UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 1989 marked a turning point in bilateral cooperation, leading to landmark initiatives such as the UNESCO–Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation, the Royal Yacht Fulk al-Salamah “Ship of Peace” Silk Road voyage, and UNESCO’s highest medal awarded to the late Sultan in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to peace and intercultural dialogue.
She added that the official visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to UNESCO headquarters in June 2026 reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to international cooperation in culture, education and science, while supporting global efforts to preserve heritage and promote intercultural dialogue. The visit also coincided with the launch of the UNESCO–Sultan Haitham Prize for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Highlighting Oman’s achievements in heritage preservation, Al Balushi said the country has secured six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bahla Fort, Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn archaeological sites, the Land of Frankincense, the Aflaj Irrigation System, and the ancient city of Qalhat.
She noted that Oman has also significantly expanded its presence on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity between 2010 and 2025, with inscriptions including Al-Bar’ah, Al-Azi, Al-Taghrood, Al-Ayala, Al-Razfa, Arabic coffee, the Majlis, Horse and Camel Ardha, the palm tree, camel racing, Arabic calligraphy, the Khanjar, Al-Harees, henna, Al-Bisht and Arabic kohl. The training vessel Shabab Oman was also recognised under UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
Under UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, Oman secured the inscription of the manuscript Ma’dan al-Asrar fi Ilm al-Bihar in 2017, followed by Al-Nuniyah Al-Kubra by renowned navigator Ahmed bin Majid in 2025, reflecting the country’s historical contributions to maritime science and navigation.
Al Balushi said Oman has also strengthened its role in UNESCO’s education and environmental programmes, with 44 schools joining the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, while Muscat, Sur and Nizwa were added to the Global Network of Learning Cities in 2024. The Jabal Akhdar and Al Sireen reserves were also designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in 2025.
She added that Oman has ratified several key UNESCO conventions related to cultural heritage protection, intangible heritage, underwater cultural heritage and education, while serving on a number of UNESCO governing bodies, including the Executive Board for the 2023–2027 term, reflecting international confidence in Oman’s constructive role within the United Nations system.
The ambassador further noted that Omani universities currently host several UNESCO Chairs in specialised fields, including artificial intelligence, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, environmental innovation, educational psychology, world heritage, aflaj systems, earthquake and tsunami risk reduction, and waste-to-energy technologies.
Concluding her remarks, Al Balushi said Oman’s achievements demonstrate the strength of its strategic partnership with UNESCO and reinforce the Sultanate’s position as a trusted international partner in safeguarding cultural heritage, advancing science and education, and contributing to sustainable development and global peace.
