MUSCAT: The Social Protection Fund (SPF) conducted an exploratory visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands from May 18 to 22, 2026. The delegation was headed by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
The visit reflects the Fund’s broader efforts to study successful global models in the fields of pensions, social insurance and labour market policies, with the aim of supporting the ongoing development of Oman’s social protection system in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
During the visit, the delegation held a series of meetings with ten prominent Dutch institutions recognised for their expertise in pension management and social protection policies. Among the entities visited were the Dutch Federation of Pension Funds, the Employee Insurance Agency, the Social Insurance Bank, the Dutch Central Bank, Statistics Netherlands and the Social and Economic Council. Discussions focused on governance frameworks, financial sustainability, insurance systems, labour market participation, and mechanisms designed to ensure long-term social security for citizens and residents.
Eng Al Aufi and the accompanying delegation also held a high-level meeting with Thierry Aartsen, Dutch Minister of Labour and Participation. The meeting reviewed the legislative and regulatory structure of the Dutch pension and social protection system, in addition to highlighting the reforms and policy approaches adopted by the Netherlands to address demographic and economic challenges.
The delegation was briefed on the Dutch experience in developing an integrated and sustainable social protection model that has evolved over more than 125 years. The discussions also highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making, institutional integration, and the use of advanced digital systems in improving efficiency and service delivery within the social protection sector.
Officials from the Social Protection Fund noted that the visit offered valuable insights into international practices that could contribute to enhancing Oman’s national system while taking into account the country’s social and economic priorities. The delegation explored ways to benefit from the Dutch experience in strengthening financial sustainability, expanding coverage and improving the overall effectiveness of social protection programmes.
The visit also underscored the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange in supporting the continuous development of social protection systems worldwide. Such engagements are expected to contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient framework capable of meeting future challenges and ensuring social stability.
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