His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik spoke at the first meeting of the 8th term of the Council of Oman, making the following key points:<\/p>\n
Role of the Council<\/strong> His Majesty said the Council will significantly contribute to development as \u201can indispensable partner within the structural framework of our State.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership confers upon you a weighty responsibility. We urge you to uphold this duty with the utmost integrity, championing the interests of our country,\u201d His Majesty added.<\/p>\n Economy<\/strong> A portion of fiscal surplus has been allocated to invigorate social sectors and stimulate economic growth, he added.<\/p>\n His Majesty said Oman would continue to diversify the economy, especially into the non-oil sector.<\/p>\n He said the Social Protection System will benefit all segments of society, guaranteeing a dignified life for all.<\/p>\n Administrative reform<\/strong> He said Oman would continue to streamline procedures through optimising decision-making and rigorously evaluating institutional performance.<\/p>\n His Majesty added that his Government is committed to strengthening the judicial system with skilled professionals, enabling it to administer justice with unparalleled competence.<\/p>\n Health and Services<\/strong> Governorates and decentralisation<\/strong> His Majesty said his Government\u2019s goal remained to \u201cempower local communities in managing their affairs and actively participating in the nation-building process.\u201d<\/p>\n He urged municipal councils to utilise their authority and resources to the full, adding that decentralisation will be expanded to various sectors.<\/p>\n Challenges to society<\/strong> He said his Government would strengthen Oman\u2019s national identity and uphold its core values.<\/p>\n His Majesty pledged to support families as the cornerstone of society, safeguarding children from harmful ideologies opposed to Oman\u2019s values.<\/p>\n Education Reform<\/strong> He said his Government would encourage young people to be leaders in economic growth and \u201cto use their intellectual abilities for creative and innovative endeavours.\u201d<\/p>\n The digital economy<\/strong> Climate change<\/strong> He said his Government remained committed to address climate change and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.<\/p>\n Palestine<\/strong> He reiterated Oman\u2019s commitment to establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.<\/p>\n His Majesty said the international community must urgently establish a sovereign Palestinian state as \u201ca cornerstone for lasting peace in our region and the security of the global community.\u201d<\/p>\n Foreign Policy<\/strong> Peace and Security<\/strong>
\nHis Majesty thanked members of the Council in previous sessions, commending their initiatives and evolving maturity.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty noted that despite global economic challenges, the Fiscal Sustainability Plan has reduced Oman\u2019s public debt.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty said restructuring the State’s administrative apparatus has raised the efficiency of operations.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty said that the health, education and service sectors have expanded to match population growth in every governorate and wilayat.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty noted that the System of Governorates and the Law of Municipal Councils have developed the Governorates and the principle of decentralisation.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty spoke of challenges to society and their \u201cintolerable impacts on its ethical and cultural fabric.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty reaffirmed his Government\u2019s commitment to education, pledging to adapt syllabuses to economic development and to broaden opportunities for youth to engage with science and knowledge.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty said his Government remains committed to making the digital economy a pillar of the national economy.
\nNoting directives issued for a national programme to adopt Artificial Intelligence, he pledged action to enable AI to serve Oman\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty said that the development of renewable energy will be a priority, with development of the sector\u2019s legal and policy framework and incentives for foreign investment and local industries.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty said he was profoundly concerned by the grave predicament of people in the occupied Palestinian territories, enduring relentless Israeli aggression and an unjust siege.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty reasserted Oman\u2019s principles of good neighbourliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.<\/p>\n
\nHis Majesty paid tribute to the dedication of Oman\u2019s military and security forces in ensuring peace and safety in the Sultanate.<\/p>\n