Under the auspices of His Excellency (HE) Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, ‘The Local Administration Forum: Decentralisation and Empowering Governorates – Prospects for Comprehensive and Sustainable Development’ has been officially launched. Organised by the Royal Academy of Management (RAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the opening ceremony was attended by Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and other senior officials from the public and private sectors. The forum aims to establish the foundations and principles of decentralisation and explore ways to enhance its implementation across governorates.
The forum is organised in alignment with the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Allah protect and preserve him, aimed at strengthening the decentralisation approach and empowering governorates across Oman to lead their developmental priorities. This is in line with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, and in pursuit of embedding modern local governance principles and strengthening institutional integration at the governorate level.
HE Sayyid Khalifa bin Al Murdas Al Busaidi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Interior, delivered the Ministry’s speech. He affirmed that the forum embodies Oman’s commitment to establishing decentralisation as a fundamental approach to enhancing the efficiency of government performance, improving the quality of services, and supporting sustainable development across all governorates.
He also underlined that the forum constitutes an important platform for exchanging national and international expertise, anticipating the future of local governance, and building an integrated model based on participation, accountability, and effective governance, in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and contributing to achieving sustainable development throughout the Sultanate of Oman.
HE Dr Ali bin Qassim Al Lawati, President of the Royal Academy of Management, said, “The shift towards Decentralisation and Empowerment of Governorates in the Sultanate of Oman is not merely a redistribution of powers, but is in alignment with the strategic vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Allah protect and preserve him, which has transformed the concept of Central Administration for Services into that of Local Leadership for Development’.” HE Dr Ali further pointed out that decentralisation is not a measure for easing the central government, but a means of multiplying the nation’s power and economic growth.
He added, “This forum is not merely a platform for dialogue, but a bridge to connect with global knowledge through urban diplomacy, linking the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman with international best practices by providing practical and applicable solutions.” His Excellency noted that the presence of international experts at today’s event reflects global confidence in the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic directions and underscores that Oman’s governorates have become part of an international community that cultivates advanced models for developmental solutions.
Concluding his speech, His Excellency expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Interior, under the wise leadership of HE Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, for its continuous support for the activities of the Local Governance Center at RAM. He also thanked Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Governors for their tireless efforts in translating every ambition into real and measurable achievements.
The Local Administration Forum seeks to promote socio-economic development in support comprehensive and sustainable local growth and development, while activating the role of governorates in creating job opportunities and leveraging their competitive and comparative advantages and economic enablers. The event will also review the role of municipalities within the local governance system, empower national competencies and capacity, and strengthen institutional capabilities through tailored discussion sessions and bespoke workshops aligned with the forum’s key themes.
The event’s agenda focuses on four main themes: Administrative and Economic Decentralisation across Governorates; Mechanisms for Achieving Local Economic Development; The Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development and Job Creation across Governorates; and Empowering Competencies and Enhancing Institutional Capabilities leveraging Intellectual, Development, and Future Foresight Enablers. The forum also features a series of dialogue sessions and workshops, bringing together experts in local governance and development from both within and outside Oman, and who will share exemplary and innovative local and international experiences.
The bespoke two-day event targets more than 150 participants, representing national leadership, including Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Governors, as well as the Mayors of Muscat and Dhofar Municipalities, and Excellencies from sectors related to the forum’s key themes, in addition to Their Excellencies the Walis (district governors). Participants also include members of the Municipal Councils, Directors General of Municipalities, and Directors of Administrative, Financial, Planning, and Investment Affairs, as well as Directors of Planning and Investment Departments and Oman Vision 2040 implementation follow-up offices in the governorates and municipalities.
The launch of this forum is part of RAM’s ongoing efforts to build an integrated system supporting local governance and the development of decentralisation-related policies. By designing and providing effective dialogue platforms that bring together national and international expertise, RAM contributes to enabling governorates and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and showcase pioneering development experiences, resulting in improved readiness of government entities.
RAM has previously launched programmes to enhance capabilities in the areas of governance, administrative and economic decentralisation, and equip participants with best practices in local governance, which positively reflects on the development of the governorates. These programmes included the National Initiative for Local Governance Development, which included the Governors’ Programme, the Walis’ Programme, and the Municipal Councils Programme.
