Oman to join Artemis space agreements

Muscat- The Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America held the third strategic dialogue at the Diplomatic Club in Muscat today.

The Omani side was headed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and the American side was headed by Alison Hooker, Undersecretary of the US State Department for Political Affairs.

During the dialogue, the Omani side announced the Sultanate of Oman’s agreement to join the Artemis space agreements.

The two sides discussed maximizing the benefits of the free trade agreement between the two friendly countries, increasing American investments in priority sectors for the Sultanate of Oman, such as the digital economy, technology and space, in addition to the mining, logistics, aviation and infrastructure sectors, cooperation in the fields of education and culture, especially educational programs and academic and professional exchange, and investment in the fields of innovation and scientific research.

The two sides exchanged views and positions on a number of regional and international issues and stressed the importance of supporting efforts for peace, stability, and development.

A statement of cooperation was also signed regarding the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, which also includes celebrating the historical relations between the two friendly countries, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding for partnership and cooperation between the Embassy of the United States of America in the Sultanate of Oman and the Omani-American Business Center.

Artemis space agreements

NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and seven other initial signatory nations, established the Artemis Accords in 2020.  

With many countries and private companies conducting missions and operations around the Moon, the Artemis Accords provide a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space.

The Artemis Accords reinforce the commitment by signatory nations to the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior for civil space exploration and use.