Sharm El Sheikh – Oman intends to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in clean energy during the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Information is from Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Rahbi, ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Cairo (pictured above). According to him, in ten years, Oman intends to become a regional hub for the production of green hydrogen, relying on the main elements necessary for its production, such as solar energy, wind energy, extensive plant spaces, and human resources.
At COP27, the diplomat told ANBA his country intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. He said the national strategy to reach this goal was launched with clear and specific programs. This included real indicators from influential sectors such as industry, oil & gas, electricity, and logistics, in addition to the National Environmental Policy for the Energy Sector (NEPES). Therefore, genuine efforts must be translated into practical projects, according to the ambassador.
Al-Rahbi stressed Oman has a keen interest in staying up-to-date on environmental issues, mainly after climate change has prompted the evacuation of many citizens from their living areas. He stated an urgent need to implement tangible measures to reduce carbon emissions, noting that climate change has become a palpable reality for many countries, including Oman, which is not immune to these changes.
Al-Rahbi pointed out the sultanate is one of the few Arab countries that took the initiative to create a Ministry of the Environment in the 1970s. This ministry later developed into an independent body, engaged and actively participating in all issues related to the environment, both at regional and international levels. He underscored the world had experienced a significant impact from climate change in the last two decades.
The ambassador reported Oman has suffered, in recent years, three climatic fluctuations, starting in 2007, whose serious consequences have profoundly affected the infrastructure in many areas of the country. The same was repeated three years later, in 2010 and 2020, when weather issues caused flooding and massive destruction of infrastructure, costing Oman significant human and material losses, especially in the areas close to the Arabian Sea in the south.
Oman at COP27
The ambassador said these rapid changes were a motivating factor for Oman’s strong presence at COP27. The country’s delegation, headed by the Minister of Mines and Energy, brought over 120 people, including environmental experts from different sectors, such as Civil Aviation, Environment, Foreign Affairs, and civil society organizations.
Oman has a large pavilion within the Climate Conference, through which it is presenting its efforts and initiatives in the environmental area, such as the formation of a national team to monitor all environmental agreements. The country has also launched a national campaign to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The project is already under implementation.
The ambassador explained his country has also recently signed several MoUs for investments in clean energy and green hydrogen with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Incentives are also offered for foreigners to invest in this area.
Al-Rahbi also said his country is a strategic partner of Brazil. According to him, the two countries hope to increase the volume of bilateral cooperation, mainly with environment-related investments. He stressed Brazil has a great interest in this area. Brazilian mining company Vale has operations in Oman, and this is one of the most important industrial projects in the country.
Translated by Georgette Merkhan & Elúsio Brasileiro
