Oman has taken the global stage to reaffirm its commitment to protecting marine biodiversity at the UN Ocean Conference. Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Environment Authority Chairman, represented the Sultanate in Nice, France. He attended the conference under the directives of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. During his address, he outlined Oman’s pioneering environmental efforts. These include decades of legislation and projects targeting ocean and marine ecosystem conservation.
Dr. Al Amri began by highlighting Oman’s early start in ocean protection. He said Oman passed its first marine pollution law more than 50 years ago. That legislation laid the groundwork for further efforts to preserve marine biodiversity. Since then, Oman has created protected marine zones covering over 90,000 square kilometers. These zones aim to safeguard coral reefs, sea turtles, and humpback whales.
Moreover, Oman has enacted bold national policies to support marine biodiversity. The country banned plastic shopping bags to reduce pollution. It also committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition, Oman launched the Oman Blue Carbon Project. That initiative plans to plant 100 million mangrove trees for carbon capture and coastal protection.
Dr. Al Amri stressed that Oman supports global environmental frameworks. He said the nation fully backs the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement. Oman also holds the presidency of the UN Environment Assembly’s seventh session. These international roles help amplify Oman’s marine biodiversity agenda. Furthermore, global assessments now rank Oman highly in marine conservation performance.
He also reminded world leaders of the ocean’s role in carbon absorption. He called oceans a “major carbon sink” critical to climate stability. Dr. Al Amri said countries must not forget the urgent need to protect oceans. He added that Oman remains fully committed to SDG 14 and global marine policy goals. His speech aligned with the event’s emphasis on ocean action and sustainable development.
UNOC3 runs for five days and focuses on accelerating ocean protection. The program features ten Ocean Action Panels on topics from marine science to ocean finance. Delegates also attend exhibitions, cultural showcases, and scientific events. Oman used the platform to present its national marine agenda. The message throughout remained clear: preserving marine biodiversity must remain a global priority.
