The Sultanate of Oman has established a comprehensive framework of 13 distinct programs dedicated to fostering innovation and building national capabilities. These initiatives include the National Program for Supporting Innovation Centers in Higher Education Institutions, the Student Graduation Projects Transformation into Start-ups Program, and the Falling Walls Competition. The ecosystem is further strengthened by National Scientific Research Awards that recognize excellence across multiple sectors, while creating pathways for Omani innovators and researchers to participate in prestigious international forums including the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the Kuala Lumpur International Invention and Innovation Exhibition, and the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.
The Sultanate of Oman is strategically enhancing its national scientific publishing infrastructure and elevating the standards of its peer-reviewed journals, in direct alignment with its transition toward a knowledge-based economy. This systematic development of scientific research and academic publishing frameworks represents a fundamental pillar in building a knowledge-driven society and strengthening the nation’s competitive standing globally.
In the domain of development and social protection, the Sultanate of Oman persists in its efforts to build a comprehensive social care system. This system aims to provide social and economic support and empowerment to all segments of society, including the family, the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, children, and civil society organizations. The ultimate objective is to forge a society that is both economically and socially empowered through the introduction of a suite of new programs and projects across various developmental sectors. These initiatives are designed to advance social work, support and empower the most vulnerable groups, establish effective social protection mechanisms, and strengthen family cohesion and social solidarity. This is in addition to activating community partnerships and enhancing resource efficiency to deliver high-quality social services.
The social protection system in the Sultanate of Oman has undergone a comprehensive and qualitative transformation across all levels and trajectories. The Social Protection Law has redefined the very concept of protection to encompass all stages of life, from childhood to advanced age, establishing programs that cover retirement, end-of-service benefits, maternity, disability, direct cash security for limited-income families, and savings.
Since the system’s inauguration, beneficiaries have exceeded 63.6 percent of the target population. Furthermore, novel mechanisms have been introduced to support the most vulnerable groups, such as the household income support benefit, which ensures the precise and equitable delivery of aid to its rightful recipients.
Complementing the institutional development framework, which mandates robust governance, the process of implementing changes to restructure Oman’s pension funds has been initiated. This endeavour paves the way for a new era commensurate with national and international aspirations. The strategic direction for the 2024-2025 transition phase was formulated, achieving an implementation rate exceeding 90 percent for the Fund. This progress is meticulously designed to cultivate and enhance its internal and developmental capacities through the delivery of intelligent and proactive services that fulfill stakeholder requirements and elevate satisfaction. It also provides comprehensive coverage for all societal segments not encompassed by the social protection system, concurrently improving all associated benefits.
Statistics released by the Social Protection Fund at the end of September 2025 indicate the participation of 92 active entities from the public sector and 29,370 from the private sector. The number of insured Omani workers surpassed 604,000 citizens, with over 121,000 active pensions disbursed. These figures epitomize the significant progress achieved within the social protection system and affirm the Social Protection Fund’s emergence as a regional exemplar of transparency and institutional efficacy.
Regarding the sector for persons with disabilities, His Majesty the Sultan issued his lofty directives in September 2025 to establish a new sector at the level of an Undersecretary within the structure of the Ministry of Social Development. This sector is tasked with overseeing all matters that would elevate the services provided to persons with disabilities. To formalize this, His Majesty the Sultan issued Royal Decree No. 92/2025 in October 2025, promulgating the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This law embodies Oman’s commitment to preserving the dignity of persons with disabilities and guaranteeing their rights. Moreover, His Majesty issued his royal orders in April 2025, approving RO 7 million to establish the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Care and Rehabilitation Centre and to study the needs of the governorates for such centres. This step reflects the reinforcement of the rights of persons with autism spectrum disorder and the creation of a suitable and supportive environment that contributes to improving their quality of life.
