Oman Climate Week 2026 Begins in Muscat with Global Participation

Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The second edition of Oman Climate Week 2026 commenced on Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), bringing together policymakers, climate experts, researchers, private-sector representatives and international organisations to advance cooperation and practical solutions to climate challenges.

The event is being held as part of the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to strengthen national and international partnerships in climate action, promote innovation and practical solutions, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise. The initiative aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s national efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Held under the auspices of Sheikh Al Fadhal bin Mohammed Al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, the week has attracted broad regional and international participation. Representatives of governments, the private sector, international organisations, academic and research institutions, and civil society are taking part in the activities.

More than 50 countries are participating in the programme, which will continue until September 16. The event features more than 15 major activities, 20 training workshops, over 80 exhibitors, around 400 speakers, 150 participants in the “Eco-thon” challenge and more than 5,000 attendees.

The programme includes panel discussions, specialised sessions, meetings and interactive platforms focusing on climate action, energy, the circular economy, climate finance, innovation, resilience and nature-based solutions.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, said the climate challenge had evolved beyond being an isolated environmental issue and had become a fundamental consideration in decisions concerning energy, water, food, investment and economic competitiveness.

He said Oman regarded environmental sustainability as a key pillar of its development trajectory and was pursuing net-zero emissions by 2050 through an organised and realistic transition that takes national priorities into account, preserves economic competitiveness and energy security, and promotes investment in low-carbon technologies and solutions.

Dr. Al Amri highlighted Oman’s efforts to translate climate opportunities into practical initiatives, including carbon projects, nature-based solutions, mangrove cultivation, investment in nature reserves and eco-tourism, promotion of the circular economy, and the development of waste-management systems to maximise their economic and environmental value.

In a recorded video address, Jasim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said climate change had moved beyond the environmental sphere to become an economic and developmental challenge requiring collective action and effective regional and international cooperation.

He stressed the importance of balancing environmental protection with sustainable economic growth, improving resource-use efficiency and strengthening the capacity of countries and communities to adapt to climate impacts.

Al Budaiwi expressed the GCC countries’ interest in benefiting from the discussions at Oman Climate Week 2026 to strengthen Gulf and regional cooperation, exchange knowledge and expertise, and advance climate solutions that address both the developmental and environmental priorities of countries in the region.

Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29, underscored the importance of translating climate agreements and commitments into tangible results on the ground.

He noted that climate change could no longer be viewed as a single, isolated environmental issue, pointing to the interconnected nature of climate change, natural disasters, water scarcity, land degradation, wildfires, public-health threats, technological and industrial risks, conflicts and geopolitical instability.

Babayev called for a just, orderly and equitable transition that recognises differing national circumstances and starting points. He emphasised that energy security, affordability, industrial development and employment opportunities must be taken into consideration throughout the transition.

He also praised Oman’s potential role in international climate dialogue, citing its strategic geographical position, economic significance in the energy sector, diplomatic experience and efforts toward economic diversification. These factors, he said, position Oman to help bridge differing perspectives while supporting stability and sustainable development.

Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, said the international community was at a decisive stage in climate action. He noted that exceeding the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold should not be interpreted as abandoning the objective, but rather as requiring a change in the pathway toward achieving it.

He stressed the need for faster emissions reductions, stronger adaptive capacity, expanded access to climate finance and accelerated implementation of existing commitments. Bowen added that the transition to clean energy had become a rapidly advancing economic reality and that the Paris Agreement had contributed to changing the global trajectory.

Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, highlighted the close relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss, stressing that ecosystems constitute an important natural line of defence against climate impacts.

She underscored the importance of nature-based solutions, particularly the restoration of mangroves and coastal ecosystems, which can simultaneously protect communities, strengthen adaptive capacity, store carbon and support local economies.

Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), reviewed the findings of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report via video link. He noted that human activities had caused warming of the atmosphere, oceans and land.

He also highlighted the growing climate challenges facing the Middle East, particularly the expected increase in extreme temperatures. He pointed to practical adaptation and emissions-reduction measures, including improved irrigation technologies, cultivation of drought- and salinity-resistant crops, expansion of solar and wind energy, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and reductions in natural gas and methane leaks.

A high-level ministerial session titled “The Road to COP31” is also being held during the week, bringing together officials, experts and international figures to discuss priorities for climate action and preparations for upcoming international climate milestones. The session aims to strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise and translate climate commitments into implementable policies and projects.

The opening ceremony also witnessed the announcement of a cooperation programme to establish the Environmental Innovation Center, involving the Environment Authority, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the SME Development Authority “Riyada”, and the Research and Innovation Authority.

The centre is intended to create a supportive ecosystem for environmental innovation and entrepreneurship by providing an integrated pathway for incubating and accelerating ideas and projects in biodiversity, environmental quality, the environmental economy and climate change.

A joint cooperation programme was also signed with a number of entities to establish an integrated environmental innovation ecosystem connecting government institutions, private-sector organisations, academic bodies, incubators, accelerators, consultancy and expertise providers, and other supporting organisations.

The centre will provide incubation and acceleration support, facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange, build capacities, and offer technical and consulting assistance. It will also connect innovators and entrepreneurs with partners, funding and investment opportunities, helping environmental solutions progress from ideas to implementation and expansion.

The ceremony further marked the launch of the “Green Branch Award”, a joint initiative between the Environment Authority and the Muscat Stock Exchange. The award seeks to encourage companies to strengthen sustainability practices and environmental responsibility while supporting Oman’s transition towards a green economy.

The first day’s programme featured sessions on climate change, adaptation and resilience, as well as the circular economy, waste management, resource-use efficiency, environmental governance, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the use of satellite data to support climate-related decision-making.

The programme also includes discussions on the transformation of the energy and green hydrogen sector, covering the integration of renewable energy, wave energy, energy storage, hydrogen production and improvements in energy-system efficiency. Participants are also examining solutions for hydrogen production from treated water and the utilisation of brine generated through desalination processes.

Oman Climate Week 2026 is expected to provide a platform for strengthening international partnerships, advancing innovative climate solutions and translating global climate commitments into practical initiatives supporting sustainable development and Oman’s net-zero ambitions.