MUSCAT: Oman Climate Week 2026 opened in Muscat on Monday with experts and policymakers calling for a shift from climate ambition to implementation and accelerated action.
The second edition of Oman Climate Week, being held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 14 to 16, brings together more than 5,000 participants and 400 speakers from over 50 countries.
The three-day event features more than 20 training workshops, 80 environmental technology exhibitors and over 15 events, including panel discussions, specialised sessions, meetings and interactive platforms focusing on climate, energy, the circular economy, finance, innovation, resilience and nature-based solutions.
The programme also includes the 'Eco-thon' Challenge, involving 150 participants, the launch of a partnership to establish an Environmental Innovation Centre, and the unveiling of the 'Green Branch' Award during the opening ceremony.
Held under the auspices of Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthi, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, the event is organised by the Environment Authority and brings together decision-makers, experts, government officials, private-sector representatives, international organisations, academics, researchers and civil society.
Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, said hosting the event aligns with Oman’s development trajectory and its efforts to strengthen national and international partnerships on climate action, support innovation and practical solutions, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
He said these efforts are in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the national objective of achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050.
“Environmental sustainability lies at the heart of Oman’s development path,” Al Amri said.
He noted that Oman is pursuing an orderly and realistic transition towards Net-Zero emissions, balancing national priorities, economic competitiveness and energy security while promoting investment in low-carbon technologies and solutions.
Al Amri said Oman had already begun translating climate opportunities into practical initiatives, including carbon projects, nature-based solutions, mangrove restoration, investment in nature reserves and ecotourism, and measures to support the circular economy and improve waste management.
He also highlighted Oman’s updated Carbon Neutrality Strategy and new national framework for the carbon market, as well as the continued development of green hydrogen projects and the “Blue Carbon” programme aimed at restoring coastal ecosystems.
In a recorded address, Jasem bin Mohammed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressed the importance of Oman hosting the event, noting that climate change had evolved beyond an environmental concern into an economic and developmental challenge requiring collective action and effective regional and international cooperation.
He highlighted the need to balance environmental protection with sustainable economic growth, improve resource efficiency and strengthen adaptive capacity.
Al Budaiwi said GCC countries aimed to use the event to strengthen regional cooperation, exchange knowledge and expertise, and advance solutions addressing the region’s environmental and development challenges.
Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Affairs, urged countries to move from negotiating commitments to delivering results.
He said climate change was no longer viewed as an isolated environmental issue, but as a risk multiplier affecting natural disasters, water scarcity, land degradation, wildfires, public health, technological and industrial hazards, conflicts and geopolitical instability.
Babayev noted that drought, for example, could affect food production, electricity generation, migration and livelihoods, while floods could have repercussions extending beyond immediate damage to infrastructure, supply chains and public health.
On the global energy transition, he stressed the need for a just, orderly and equitable shift that takes into account different national circumstances and starting points.
He said energy security, affordability, industrial development and job creation must remain key considerations during the transition.
Mukhtar also highlighted key outcomes of COP29 in Baku, including the agreement on a new climate finance goal of at least $300 billion annually by 2035, alongside a broader effort to scale climate finance from public and private sources to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
He stressed the importance of fully operationalising carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the new Loss and Damage Fund.
“These achievements only hold true value when they bring about tangible change on the ground,” he said, reiterating the need to move from negotiating commitments to delivering results.
Mukhtar commended Oman’s potential role in international climate dialogue, citing its strategic location, economic importance in the energy sector, diplomatic legacy and efforts to diversify its economy.
He said these factors positioned Oman to help bridge differing perspectives and support the global energy transition while maintaining stability and development.
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