Oman marks 80th anniversary of the Arab League
The Sultanate of Oman joins its fellow Arab nations in celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the League of Arab States.
Since joining the League in 1971, Oman has maintained a consistent and supportive approach aimed at advancing joint Arab action and strengthening the principles of Arab solidarity and regional stability, in pursuit of the progress, development and prosperity that Arab peoples aspire to.
Abdullah bin Nasser Al Rahbi, Oman’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt and its Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, said that the Sultanate recognises the significance of the Arab League as a unifying framework for Arab states. He added that Oman is committed to supporting the League’s role and enhancing its operational mechanisms to better address regional and international challenges.
He said that while discussions around reforming the system of joint Arab action continue, Oman believes that any reform must be comprehensive and gradual, and should be backed by a clear will among member states.
Despite various challenges, the Arab League remains a key platform for promoting Arab solidarity, he said. Today, more than ever, the Arab world must intensify joint efforts to address pressing security, economic and social issues, he added.
He added that Oman plays an active role in all League meetings, whether at the ministerial level—where Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi participates regularly and coordinates closely with the Secretary-General and fellow Arab foreign ministers—or at the technical level, where officials from the Foreign Ministry attend and contribute to the League’s activities.
This consistent presence reflects Oman’s belief in the League’s importance as a regional umbrella that fosters Arab integration and offers a platform to address common challenges in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.
On translating common Arab visions into tangible projects, the Ambassador explained that achieving food security, economic integration and other shared goals requires a clear political will from Arab states and more effective implementation mechanisms within the League.
He noted that while many initiatives have been launched, their success depends on a strong institutional environment and close coordination among member states. Oman supports these efforts by participating in specialised economic and technical committees and promoting bilateral and regional cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development.
He stressed that Oman plays a key role across many Arab League files—political, economic and cultural. Oman has always been a voice for dialogue and peaceful solutions and has contributed to bridging divides between Arab states on various contentious issues. Its active participation in different League committees demonstrates its commitment to strengthening joint Arab action.
On Oman’s approach to League decisions on regional crises, the Ambassador said that with regard to the Palestinian cause, Oman consistently affirms that peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the conflict. A fair and comprehensive solution must be based on the two-state framework, establishing an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This position is a fundamental principle Oman upholds and promotes as the basis for a lasting resolution. Stability cannot be achieved without justice for the Palestinian people and the realisation of their legitimate rights, he added.
On other Arab crises, Ambassador Alrahbi said that Oman continues its steadfast approach of supporting dialogue and peaceful solutions to end conflicts, whether in Yemen, Libya, Sudan or Syria. Oman believes military solutions cannot resolve these crises. Instead, political consensus and dialogue between all parties are needed to preserve national sovereignty and ensure security and stability. From this standpoint, Oman supports all regional and international efforts aimed at ending conflicts and laying the groundwork for national reconciliation in these countries.
He reiterated Oman’s support for enhancing the League’s working mechanisms, whether through empowering specialised committees or improving coordination on security and economic issues among member states. Oman believes the League needs more effective tools to directly influence Arab affairs. Comprehensive reform is required, but it must be gradual, well-considered and backed by strong political will across the region.
On current challenges, Ambassador Al Rahbi stressed that the Arab League’s role today is more crucial than ever. He said the Arab world is facing serious challenges that require collective action and stronger joint mechanisms. Oman remains committed to supporting the League, firmly believing that Arab solidarity is the only path to stability and development in the region, he added.
Ambassador Sheikh Faisal bin Omar Al Marhoon, Head of the Arab Department at the Foreign Ministry, spoke about key lessons from the League’s 80-year journey and how they can help address current challenges.
He said one of the most important lessons is the value of continuity and commitment to joint Arab action—a principle Oman has upheld since joining the League on 29 September 1971. He added that consistent and uninterrupted participation fosters trust among Arab states and underscores the need to separate shared Arab work from political fluctuations among members.
He emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue and adopting balanced solutions. This approach, long pursued by Oman, has helped reduce divisions during many of the crises that have impacted the region.
He also stressed that national interests should align with broader Arab interests, and that achieving consensus on policies and strategies is the key to addressing today’s challenges, whether political or economic.
Ambassador Al Marhoon said that as global challenges become more interconnected, it is vital to update the League’s operations, both in substance and process. A committee is currently drafting a document to develop the system of joint Arab action, aiming to generate ideas and proposals to enhance the League’s work. He added that it is particularly important to incorporate digital tools to accelerate communication, cooperation and decision-making, especially in economic and social areas.
He suggested adopting a dispute-resolution mechanism that prioritises shared interests, promoting the concept of consensus and focusing on initiatives that can be implemented without creating additional structures that would burden joint Arab work.
He said that Oman will continue supporting the Arab League and joint Arab action, drawing inspiration from its own foreign policy values rooted in balance and wisdom.
On enhancing the League’s role in promoting Arab economic integration, Ambassador Al Marhoon highlighted the need to push forward joint projects such as the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, power grid interconnection, food security and transport infrastructure.
These initiatives, he said, are essential for linking markets, attracting investment and promoting comprehensive development in member states. They also facilitate the movement of people, industries and products, while allowing countries to benefit from each other’s cultural assets.
He underlined the importance of launching diplomatic and economic initiatives to raise the region’s global profile. The Arab world, with its strategic geographic and human resources, could become one of the world’s major economic blocs—if its member states move towards deeper economic integration.
Reflecting on Oman’s unwavering support for joint Arab action, he said the country’s approach is based on more than fifty years of experience. Oman has participated in all Arab summits since the 1973 Algiers Summit, including the extraordinary Arab Summit held in Cairo in March 2025. He stressed that Oman places great importance on the Arab dimension of its foreign policy and considers coordination and consultation among Arab states essential to maintaining solidarity and responding to global and regional challenges.
Oman's enduring commitment to the work of the League was clearly articulated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on January 11, 2020 when he said:
“In Arab affairs, we will continue to support the Arab League and cooperate with our fellow Arab leaders to realise the League’s goals, improve the lives of our citizens, keep our region away from conflicts, and work towards economic integration that meets the aspirations of the Arab peoples.”