Against the backdrop of expanding population, which has nearly doubled over the last decade, Oman’s water sector is experiencing strong demand, which is anticipated to rise at the rate of 6 to 8 per cent per year through to 2022. High on priority is the provision of access to safe, adequate and affordable water supply and sanitation.

The National Water Sector Master Plan (2015-2040) aims to expand the country’s water transmission and distribution infrastructure, with a projected capital expenditure of an estimated US$6.5 billion till 2040, including new water infrastructure expected to cost US$390 million annually over the master plan period.

Setting the stage for a comprehensive goal addressing the entire water cycle in Oman, on the anvil are water conservation strategies and modern practices to recycle wastewater in order to ensure a sustainable future for Oman.

Oman’s commitment to clean energy is gaining traction as the National Energy Strategy 2040 envisions long-term sustainability by ensuring the use of renewable energy sources as a substitute for hydrocarbon fuels in power generation. With solar and wind powered renewable energy projects reducing the country’s carbon footprint, the target is to achieve 30% electricity output from renewable resources by 2030.

The power sector demand continues to average about 5 per cent yearly, from 6.7 GW in 2017 to 10 GW by 2024 to meet the growing development needs of the country. The strategy is to support the nation’s transition from gas-based electricity generation to renewables and other sustainable energy sources.

Taking advantage of its strategic location, Oman is well positioned to leverage its infrastructure assets such as seaports and airports to focus on high-end manufacturing and export industries. Seizing the opportunity to unleash the power of technology to drive economic growth, the National Innovation Strategy is geared to position Oman among the top 20 most innovative countries by 2040.

Creation of a knowledge-based economy in Oman stems from harnessing information and communication technologies (ICT) for overall progress of the nation. Unleashing the power of innovation across Oman’s industry, the value chain spans across technology transfer, intellectual property protection and the development of knowledge economy to generate sustainable jobs, build capacity, nurture a culture of entrepreneurship, attract investment, increase the contribution of industry to GDP, improve the Sultanate’s global competitiveness and drive the diversification and growth of the economy.

Oman is a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate action plan that took effect in 2020. Oman’s action plan for combating the effects of climate change is set out in the National Strategy for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change, which aims to determine the impact of climate change on sustainable development, encompassing agriculture, livestock, fisheries, water resources, coastal areas, infrastructure, industries, bio-diversity, human health and welfare. Initiatives include one of the most advanced early warning systems to aid weather forecasting and early evacuations ahead of cyclones. Regulations for management of climate affairs require greenhouse gas emitting projects to obtain climate affairs permit and report their greenhouse gas emissions annually.

The National Spatial Strategy sets the tone for spatial development in Oman, which places a premium on the protection and conservation of its natural environment, resources and elements of biodiversity. Offering a more guided comprehensive spatial development plan for the Sultanate till 2040 with regional strategies for all governorates, it paves the way for integrated rural and urban development and protection of the environment. To maintain biodiversity, several conservation projects are in place like planting of mangrove saplings, deer numbering project and protection of coastal areas.

Under the National Urban Development Strategy, a comprehensive spatial framework for managing, organizing, and directing high-quality sustainable urban and rural development in the Sultanate is designed. To adopt an urban policy that addresses the increase in population and their needs for services, and to prepare development plans for each governorate; the Strategy aims to build inclusive, safe, resilient, affordable, and sustainable cities and human settlements.

In an integrated approach with Oman Vision 2040, the first pillar of the Ninth Economic Development Plan focuses on objectives such as sustaining economic growth in a changing world, optimal and balanced use of natural resources and their sustainability, in support of the national economy.

This objective ensures the existence of sustainable consumption and production patterns in society by encouraging efficient consumption of resources and energy, effective management of natural resources, sustainability of infrastructure, provision of basic services and environmentally friendly job opportunities, and an improvement in the quality of life.