Oman Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals at UN High-Level Forum
New York, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Oman Vision 2040 and its national development strategies during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Addressing the forum, held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Abdulhalim Mubarak Al Rawahi, a member of Oman’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said the Sultanate remains firmly committed to implementing the SDGs through its 11th Five-Year Development Plan (2026–2030), which prioritises economic diversification, digital transformation, and investment in human capital.
Al Rawahi highlighted Oman’s continued efforts to strengthen water security by investing in desalination projects, expanding the reuse of treated wastewater, and enhancing water resource management to address the growing impacts of climate change.
He also underscored the country’s rapid expansion of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Stressing the importance of international cooperation, he called for increased financial support and technology transfer to ensure a just and equitable global energy transition.
The Omani representative noted that the world is approaching the 2030 deadline amid mounting global challenges, including armed conflicts, slower economic growth, climate change, and widening financial and digital disparities. He said these circumstances require renewed political commitment, accelerated implementation of development goals, and stronger international solidarity.
Al Rawahi stated that industry, innovation, and digital transformation remain at the heart of Oman’s economic diversification strategy, supported by investments in infrastructure, promotion of the digital economy, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and encouragement of research and innovation to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
He further highlighted Oman’s efforts to implement balanced regional development policies, strengthen decentralisation, and improve the quality of urban infrastructure and essential public services across the country.
Emphasising the importance of global partnerships, Al Rawahi said Oman continues to improve its investment climate, enhance financial sustainability, and modernise its national statistical system to support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen monitoring of progress toward the SDGs.
He also reaffirmed that peace and sustainable development are inseparable, noting that Oman’s foreign policy remains rooted in dialogue, mediation, and peaceful coexistence, reflecting the country’s belief that security and stability are fundamental prerequisites for sustainable development.
Concluding his address, Al Rawahi stressed that accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda requires greater development financing, easier access to technology, stronger capacity-building initiatives, and reforms to the international cooperation framework to better address the priorities of developing countries. He reiterated Oman’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and international partners to promote fair, inclusive, and sustainable development for all.
