MUSCAT - “UNIDO supports the climate resilience agenda of Oman, and promotes partnerships between its Member States to address climate challenges,” said Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development.

Speaking after a meeting with Abdullah Bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of Oman’s Environmental Authority, Zou said that addressing climate challenges presents an excellent opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future in Oman and across the region.

“All sectors in Oman are harmonizing towards a green economy and an accelerated and holistic response from UNIDO is urgently needed to achieve the national environmental agenda,” said Abdullah Bin Ali Al Amri. Oman seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and implement a wide range of energy transition activities in the country.

“Oman is a regional and global reference due to its rapid response and resilience to environmental shocks like the tropical cyclone Gonu in 2007,” Al Amri recalled.

The two discussed opportunities to strengthen collaboration in deploying climate technologies such as green hydrogen.

A new UNIDO project will strengthen the long-term capacity of Oman to plan for the impacts of climate change. A joint initiative of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Environment Authority of Oman, UNIDO and the Sultan Qaboos University, the project will deliver validated drafts of the National Adaptation Plan and the Climate Change Adaptation Policy, among other objectives.

A launch ceremony for the project, “Enhancing the National Adaptation Plan Process for the Sultanate of Oman”, attracted over 80 stakeholders from government entities, national organizations, academia and civil society.

Zou echoed the call of the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change. “It is essential that all countries, especially the developed nations, increase their efforts and adopt the pro-active approach needed to halt and eventually reverse the damage being wrought,” he said.

Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Ajmi, Technical Focal Point of the Oman’s Environment Authority, underlined the the project outputs' direct linkage with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit.

“The partnership of the project provides an avenue that secures country-ownership. It aligns with the GCF criteria and a technically sound approach to investment planning to enhance the resilience of Oman’s priority sectors,” said Eduardo Freitas, Regional Manager Africa Desk of the GCF.

UNIDO representatives outlined the work of the Organization in climate-resilient development and catalyzing adaptation financing. They stressed the importance of involving the private sector in national strategies, as well as placing the most vulnerable communities, including women, at the centre of the decision-making process.

For further details:

Yunrui Zhou

Associate Industrial Development Officer

UNIDO Montreal Protocol Unit