Oman confirmed its active role in Arab environmental diplomacy by sending a high-level delegation to the Arab Forum for Environment in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Leading the Sultanate's team was Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chair of the Environment Authority — one of the forum's most prominent participants.
The event was organised by the Secretariat General of the Arab League in collaboration with the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia, bringing together policymakers, environmental experts, and regional stakeholders from across the Arab world.
Four Core Themes on Land and Climate
The forum's agenda centred on four principal areas shaping the environmental future of the Arab region:
- Land degradation and its environmental consequences at regional and global levels - Food and water security — covering the availability and quality of land, food, and water resources - Environmental stewardship for terrestrial ecosystems - International, regional, and national approaches to the restoration of land-based ecosystems
These themes reflect the growing urgency of reversing land degradation in a region already under pressure from water scarcity and climate change.
Building a Regional Dialogue Platform
A key objective of the Arab Forum for Environment is to establish a shared platform where decision-makers and subject-matter experts can exchange experiences, identify cooperation opportunities, and align strategies across borders.
The forum also aims to promote new and existing partnerships between regional and international actors — recognising that no single country can address transboundary environmental challenges alone. A regularly convened forum is considered essential given the breadth of interests represented across government, intergovernmental bodies, and research institutions.
Oman's Commitment to Arab Environmental Cooperation
Oman's participation signals the Sultanate's readiness to work towards alleviating environmental issues most affecting Arab countries. The delegation's presence underscores Oman's broader commitment to building the Arab region's capacity in sustainability and climate change resilience — priorities aligned with the country's long-term national development plans and its international environmental obligations.
