Oman’s Sultan Issues 10 Royal Decrees on Legislation, Diplomatic Appointments and Strategic Projects

Muscat, The Gulf Observer: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman has issued 10 Royal Decrees covering legislative reforms, diplomatic appointments, international agreements and public infrastructure projects.

Royal Decree No. 67/2026 promulgates the Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances following its presentation to the Council of Oman.

Under the decree, the attached law shall enter into force, while the Minister of Health is tasked with issuing its executive regulations and the decisions required for its implementation. Existing regulations and decisions will remain effective until the new regulations are issued, provided they do not conflict with the provisions of the new law.

The decree repeals the previous Law on Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances issued under Royal Decree No. 17/99, along with any provisions that contradict the new legislation. The decree will be published in the Official Gazette and take effect on the day following publication.

Royal Decree No. 68/2026 amends provisions of the Law on Protecting Personal Data. The attached amendments will apply to the existing law, while any provisions contradicting the amendments will be repealed. The decree will take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Royal Decree No. 69/2026 amends provisions of the Law on Minerals Wealth. Existing licenses issued before the amendments enter into force will remain valid until their expiry. Their renewal, as well as decisions concerning license applications submitted before implementation of the amendments, will be governed by the procedures and regulations stipulated in the amended law.

The decree also repeals provisions inconsistent with the amendments and will take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Royal Decree No. 70/2026 provides for the application in Oman of the unified GCC law on managing plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The decree brings the attached unified law into force and repeals any provisions that contradict it. It will take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Royal Decree No. 71/2026 concerns transfers and appointments within Oman’s diplomatic corps.

The decree transfers the following ambassadors to the General Diwan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

• Sheikh Al Abbas bin Ibrahim bin Hamad Al Harthy, Oman’s Ambassador to Malaysia.
• Yousef bin Ahmed bin Hamad Al Jabri, Oman’s Ambassador to Austria.
• Dr. Mohammed bin Said bin Khalifa Al Busaidi, Oman’s Ambassador to Japan.
• Dr. Saleh bin Amer bin Harith Al Kharousi, Oman’s Ambassador to Kuwait.
• Sayyid Turki bin Mahmoud bin Ali Al Busaidi, Oman’s Ambassador to Syria.

Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Saleh Al Bahrani, Oman’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, has been transferred and appointed as Oman’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Iraq.

The decree also appoints Sheikh Nasser bin Sulaiman bin Hamad Al Harthy as Oman’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Belarus and Faisal bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon as Oman’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Syria.

In addition, a number of senior diplomatic officials have been granted ambassadorial rank and appointed to represent Oman abroad. They are:

• Ali bin Ahmed bin Salim Al Shanfari — Ambassador to Kuwait.
• Anwar bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Muqaibal — Ambassador to China.
• Yaqoub bin Badr bin Ali Al Ruqaishi — Ambassador to Sudan.
• Salim bin Habib bin Salam Al Omairi — Ambassador to Somalia.
• Salim bin Saud bin Salim Al Habsi — Ambassador to Austria.
• Rashid bin Ali bin Humaid Al Badi — Ambassador to Senegal.
• Counselor Eng. Hatim bin Hilal bin Ali Al Yaqoubi — Ambassador to Malaysia.
• Counselor Aseela bint Nasser bin Zaid Al Kayoumi — Ambassador to Japan.
• Counselor Dr. Sheikh Salah bin Salim bin Ali Jaaboub — Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Royal Decree No. 71/2026 takes effect from the date of its issuance.

Royal Decree No. 72/2026 appoints Talal bin Sulaiman bin Habib Al Rahbi, Oman’s Ambassador to the United States, as the Sultanate’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Canada, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Royal Decree No. 73/2026 appoints Abdullah bin Nasser bin Mussallam Al Rahbi, Oman’s Ambassador to Egypt, as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary non-resident Ambassador to Angola.

Royal Decree No. 74/2026 appoints Khalid bin Salim bin Ahmed Ba’makhalif, Oman’s Ambassador to Morocco, as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary non-resident Ambassador to Benin and Sierra Leone.

Both decrees take effect from their respective dates of issuance.

Royal Decree No. 75/2026 ratifies the agreement between the Government of Oman and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the development of railway connectivity.

The agreement, signed on June 21, 2026, is ratified in accordance with the version attached to the decree. The decree takes effect from the date of its issuance.

Royal Decree No. 76/2026 grants public utility status to a project for the construction of stormwater drainage systems in areas adjacent to Al Barakah Palace.

Under the decree, the project, as defined in the accompanying memorandum and masterplan drawing, is classified as a public utility project. The competent authorities are authorized to directly acquire the properties and lands required for its implementation, including any structures located on them, in accordance with Oman’s Public Utility Expropriation Law issued under Royal Decree No. 71/2023.

The decree will take effect from the date of its issuance.

The 10 Royal Decrees reflect a broad range of measures aimed at strengthening Oman’s legal and regulatory framework, enhancing diplomatic representation, advancing regional infrastructure cooperation and supporting public infrastructure development.