Strengthening Bonds between the UK and Oman
During the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to the United Kingdom, which took place from 20 to 22 October 2026, both nations reaffirmed their long-standing friendship. This visit, hosted by His Majesty The King, served as a platform to enhance the relationship between the two countries, characterised by mutual respect and collaboration. The leaders expressed their intention to forge a robust and forward-thinking partnership that addresses future challenges and opportunities.
On 21 October, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik convened at 10 Downing Street, where they highlighted the depth and warmth of the UK-Oman relationship. Together, they established key priorities to guide their collaboration in the coming years. These priorities encompass modernising security and defence cooperation, expanding trade and investment in sustainable industries, jointly addressing regional stability and global challenges, and fostering deeper connections between their respective peoples and institutions.
The Prince of Wales and His Highness Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said also underscored their commitment to nurturing the next generation of ties between the two nations, including their joint patronage of the British Omani Society.
Commitment to Defence Partnership
Both the UK Defence Secretary and the Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs reiterated their dedication to the enduring defence partnership, emphasising the need for ongoing modernisation. Discussions also took place between the UK Foreign Secretary and the Omani Foreign Minister, focusing on bilateral issues of regional and global significance.
In addition, the UK Minister for Trade engaged with the Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to facilitate the imminent signing of the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, which is anticipated to bolster economic ties significantly.
Meanwhile, the Omani Minister of Education met with the CEO of the British Council to investigate innovative methods for incorporating emerging technologies into the educational framework.
The longstanding UK-Oman partnership is anchored in historical friendship and continuously renewed through innovation. It is supported by the Comprehensive Agreement of Enduring Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Defence Agreement, both established in 2019. Ongoing dialogues and forums, such as the UK-Oman Ministerial Dialogue and Joint Defence Talks, further reinforce this collaboration.
Advancing Economic Collaboration
The forthcoming UK-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement is poised to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the UK and Oman. The UK-Oman Strategic Advisory Group will continue to facilitate discussions on investment and growth, promoting knowledge exchange and structured innovation to achieve shared economic goals.
The newly established Sovereign Partnership for Cooperation and Promotion of Investment will act as a focal point for long-term economic collaboration, linking the UK’s Office for Investment with the Oman Investment Authority. This initiative aims to advance cooperation in sectors such as green growth, advanced technologies, critical minerals, and space, while also supporting Oman’s economic diversification and its role as a regional growth hub.
Recognising the importance of green growth, both nations have committed to collaborating on sustainable industries and decarbonisation efforts. UK Export Finance and the Oman Net Zero Centre have announced strengthened cooperation to facilitate the responsible development of green projects. The UK also expressed its support for the upcoming Oman Green Growth Roadshow in 2027, which will further these partnerships. Additionally, UK Export Finance has increased its investment capacity for Oman, providing enhanced support for priority projects.
Collaborative Approach to Regional and Global Challenges
The United Kingdom and Oman reiterated their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond, agreeing to enhance cooperation in conflict prevention, humanitarian responses, and multilateral engagement. They reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Both nations stressed the importance of adhering to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to uphold maritime security and the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. To fortify this cooperation, plans are underway to establish collaborative initiatives between the UK’s Diplomatic Service College and the Oman Diplomatic Academy.
Furthermore, the UK and Oman committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, demonstrating international leadership in climate action and environmental stewardship. Both countries recognised the role of clean energy and resilient supply chains in fostering sustainable growth.
Fostering Connections for Future Generations
The enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Oman has been nurtured over generations through various exchanges, including those among sailors, soldiers, scientists, and students. To build upon this legacy, both nations announced a series of initiatives aimed at deepening connections between their peoples and institutions for the benefit of future generations.
This package of announcements includes enhanced cooperation in areas such as heritage, tourism, sports, and the creative industries, as well as initiatives designed to strengthen community ties through the British Omani Society.
In the realm of education, both sides welcomed the reopening of the Chevening Scholarship programme, which had been paused since 2021. Additionally, they initiated a pilot programme on artificial intelligence-assisted education in Omani schools and launched new scholarship opportunities through the Oman Net Zero Centre in partnership with Cardiff University, alongside fostering stronger links in professional qualifications and skills development.