Oman works in partnership with many Arab, regional and international organisations on a multilateral basis.
This flows directly from the Sultanate’s internationalist outlook and commitment to working in cooperation with other countries to further the cause of peace and security.
The Foreign Ministry is responsible for managing Oman’s relations with these organisations. In some cases, it has permanent missions to these organisations.
This page lists some of the multilateral organisations that Oman is currently working with.
GCC
Oman was a founding member of the GCC (The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) when it was established in 1981.
The GCC provides a cooperative framework to effect coordination, integration and inter-connection among its six member states in all areas, particularly with regard to the creation of a customs union, a common market and common benefits to citizens of the member states.
It is also active in defence and security cooperation. The Peninsula Shield Force formed in 1984 is the military arm of the GCC.
The other members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
For more information about the GCC click here.
League of Arab States
The Arab League's main goal is to encourage closer relations between member states and coordinate collaboration between them. It considers, in a general way, the affairs and interests of the Arab countries and works to safeguard their independence and sovereignty.
The Arab Parliament is the legislative body of the Arab League.
Oman became a member of the Arab League on 29th September 1971. There are currently 22 members.
Oman's Ambassador to Egypt also acts as the Sultanate's permanent representative to the Arab League.
For more information about the Arab League click here.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavours to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
It is the second largest international organisation after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Sultanate of Oman has been a member since 1972.
The OIC has a permanent secretariat based in Jeddah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Oman’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also serves as permanent representative to the OIC.
To contact the Sultanate’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia please click here.
For more information about the work of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation click here.
United Nations
The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission; the maintenance of international peace and security.
It is currently made up of 193 Member States. Oman became the 128th member on 7th October 1971.
The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter . As well as maintaining international peace and security, it works to:
- Protect human rights
- Deliver humanitarian aid
- Promote sustainable development
- Uphold international law
Oman is committed to the work of the United Nations and its various agencies.
It maintains a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, USA, as well as in Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria.
For more information about the United Nations click here.
WHO
The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its main objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with six semi-autonomous regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide, including an office in Oman.
For more information click here.
For more general information about the World Health Organisation click here.
European Commission
The European Commission helps to shape the European Union's overall strategy, proposes new EU laws and policies, monitors their implementation and manages the EU budget. It also plays a significant role in supporting international development and delivering aid.
Oman maintains a regular dialogue with the European Commission through the Commission’s non-resident ambassador to Oman based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf is a fully accredited diplomatic mission and represents the European Union to the GCC Secretariat and three of the six countries of the GCC: Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
For more information about the EU Delegation to Oman click here
For more general information about the European Commission click here
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture.
It has 193 member states and 11 associate members, as well as partners in the non-governmental, intergovernmental and private sectors.
UNESCO’s headquarters are in Paris, France, where Oman maintains a permanent mission. It also supports its work in Oman through a National Commission.
For more about the UNESCO National Commission in Oman click here.
The UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation was launched in 1989. It is awarded every two years to individuals, or groups of people, or institutions, or organisations that make a significant contribution towards the protection of the environment and the management of its resources.
For more information about the prize click here.
For more general information about UNESCO click here.
MEDRC
The Middle East Desalination Research Centre is an international organisation mandated to find solutions to fresh water scarcity. Established in 1996 as part of the Middle East Peace Process, it conducts research, training, development cooperation and trans-boundary water projects.
MEDRC is based in Muscat, Oman, where it operates as a centre of excellence for water related research. The facility includes a desalination plant for training, laboratories, lecture halls and administrative offices.
For more general information about the MEDRC click here.
WTO
The World Trade Organisation is an intergovernmental organisation that is concerned with the regulation of international trade between nations.
It provides a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, a place for governments to settle trade disputes and it operates a system of trade rules.
Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other
It currently has 164 members. Oman joined the WTO in November 2000.
For more information about the World Trade Organisation click here.
World Bank
The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.
With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership.
Following Oman’s graduation from World Bank lending in 1987, a framework agreement for annual technical cooperation between Oman and the World Bank was signed in 1991.
For more information about the World Bank click here.
IMF
The International Monetary Fund promotes international financial stability and monetary cooperation. It also facilitates international trade, promotes employment and sustainable economic growth and helps to reduce global poverty.
The IMF is governed by and accountable to its 190 member countries. Oman became a member of the IMF in December 1971.
For more information about the IMF click here.
OECD
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
Oman is not a full member, but works in active cooperation with the OECD. It is currently collaborating with the OECD to prevent the abuse of tax treaties and profit shifting by multinational enterprises.
For more information about the OECD click here.
IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Authority is the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. It promotes the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. It currently has 175 members. Oman joined in 2009.
For more information about the IAEA click here.
UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and development aid to children worldwide.
Based at the U.N. headquarters in New York, it is among the most widespread and recognisable social welfare organisations in the world. It has a presence in 192 countries and territories, including an office in Muscat.
UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme works to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. It helps countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions to sustain their progress.
UNDP is active in 170 countries and territories, helping to reduce inequalities and exclusion.
For more information about the UNDP click here.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
With more than 194 member states, FAO works in more than 130 countries worldwide. It is based in Rome, Italy. Oman’s ambassador to the Italian Republic also serves as permanent representative to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
The FAO opened an office in Oman in 2012, developing a Country Programming Framework which brings together national and regional expertise with innovative international best practices and global standards.
For more information about the FAO click here.
UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the sexual and reproductive health Agency of the United Nations. It works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
The organisation was created in 1969 in the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared that “parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.”
For more information about the UNFPA in general click here.
For more information about the UNFPA in the GCC countries click here.
The UNFPA’s representative to the GCC is based in Oman.
UNWTO
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
Oman appointed its Ambassador in Madrid as its Permanent Representative to UNWTO in June 2023.
For more information about UNWTO click here.