FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Dr. Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al-Habsi, sign the Host Country Agreement to establish an FAO Representation in Muscat.
FAO/Pier Paolo Cito
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will have a permanent representation in Muscat, Oman, following the signing of a cooperation agreement between the organization and the country to promote sustainable fisheries management and achieve food security.
H.E. Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR), and H.E. Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, signed the Host Country Agreement at FAO headquarters in Rome, in the presence of senior officials from both sides. This is part of FAO's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnerships with Gulf countries.
Thanks to this agreement, Oman will strengthen its presence in international forums related to food and climate, and it will facilitate broader collaboration and the implementation of joint programs and projects on fisheries and natural resources.
Between 2022 and 2024, projects between the FAO and Oman expanded by 83% due to collaborations among government institutions, academic centers, and private sector partners. From now on, coordination with other UN agencies operating in the Arab country will also be improved.
Regarding this, the Minister explained: "Through this partnership, we aim to attract more projects and maximize the benefits of FAO's expertise, particularly in implementing national programmes and strategies and facilitating coordination across the sectors under the Ministry's mandate."
Also, resources will be provided to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to zero hunger, climate action, and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
"The signing aligns with FAO's Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – leaving no one behind. It also contributes to accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals," H.E. Dr. Thaer Yaseen, Head of the FAO Mission in the Sultanate of Oman, concluded.