London: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Information, took part in an event organized by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in London.

Addressing the association via videoconferencing, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, said that the Sultanate of Oman’s support for the efforts of the FPA stems from a deep belief in the role of media in spreading international and intercultural understanding.

The minister pointed out that Oman’s espousal of the economic diversification policy to diminish dependence on fossil fuels is not prompted solely by economic necessity, but relates to humanitarian and environmental considerations inspired by the need to address climate change.

Dr Abdullah touched on the impacts of climatic conditions that prevailed in Oman last year and the drought that persisted in the United Kingdom (UK) at the same time. “Both examples highlight the urgency of immediate action,” Dr Abdullah said, noting that Oman was among the first countries in the world to take concrete measures to protect nature, and has recently pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In this context, the minister affirmed that Oman's economic policies underline that diversifying the economy should go hand in hand with protecting nature.

A documentary on Oman was screened during the FPA’s event. It highlighted Oman’s economic potentials and infrastructure that encourage investment and tourism, in addition to the country’s distinctive weather and cultural diversity.

During the event, prizes were distributed to the best performers in the media field, including individuals and media establishments. Oman merited a prize for the best press story this year.

The event was attended by Badr bin Hamad al Mantheri, the Sultanate of Oman’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and over 300 media persons representing more than 100 media establishments in Britain and other parts of the world.