Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Environment Authority, joined other nations in commemorating World Environment Day on 5 June. This year's theme, "Our Land, Our Future," focuses on the restoration of lands, combating desertification, and developing strategies to withstand drought.
The celebration aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, encourage communities to safeguard the environment, and strengthen environmental policies at the local, national, and international levels. Additionally, it emphasizes the involvement of young people in environmental activities and promotes international cooperation to address global environmental challenges.
World Environment Day, established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), serves as the largest global platform for public awareness regarding the environment. Millions of individuals worldwide participate in this event. In 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the celebration.
The Environment Authority is actively working on developing plans, programs, and initiatives to combat desertification and land degradation, thereby mitigating these issues. In 2020, they launched a national initiative to plant 10 million trees, aiming to increase the green area in the Sultanate of Oman, combat desertification, and restore degraded lands.
The Authority has established numerous nurseries across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to promote the cultivation of wild trees. Among these, the Green Belt nurseries in the Dhofar Governorate hold significant importance. Additionally, the Authority has conducted awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public about the significance of farming and the preservation of green spaces.
In line with their commitment to environmental conservation, the Sultanate of Oman has developed a national plan to combat desertification. This plan is regularly updated every 10 years to ensure its effectiveness in addressing the issue.
The initial national plan to combat desertification was formulated in 2005. Currently, efforts are underway to prepare the national plan for the period of 2018-2030. Furthermore, the Sultanate is actively involved in the preparation and review of the national plan to combat drought in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Development.
