Muscat The Social Protection Fund, in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University, will organise a two-day symposium on “Social Protection System: Towards Implementing a Comprehensive and Unified Social Protection System” beginning Monday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Muscat.
The opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Saeedi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, with the participation of specialists, academics, researchers and experts in social policy.
The symposium will feature working papers examining Oman’s social protection system from legal, legislative, financial and institutional perspectives. Discussions will focus on integrating social benefits and insurance systems, ensuring financial sustainability, and strengthening coordination between social protection legislation and labour and employment laws, alongside comparative international experiences.
Khalifa bin Salem Al Ghafeeli, Director of the Legal Affairs Department and Chairman of the Symposium’s Main Committee, said the event would review Oman’s experience in developing social protection and examine the legislative, institutional and financial requirements for establishing a more integrated and unified system.
He noted that the symposium aims to harness knowledge and scientific research to support institutional development and inform social policymaking.
Al Ghafeeli said the event aligns with Oman Vision 2040, particularly its focus on human development, quality of life, social and economic sustainability, stronger governance and improved institutional performance. He added that social policies must remain responsive to changing societal needs.
He described the establishment of the Social Protection Fund and the consolidation of the former pension funds as a significant milestone in Oman’s social protection system, bringing greater uniformity to pension obligations and entitlements.
The unified system has brought pension rights and obligations under a common framework, while contributions, income and investment resources are pooled into a single financial structure. This enables more comprehensive actuarial and financial assessments and supports coordinated decision-making.
Al Ghafeeli added that the consolidated pool also strengthens the Fund’s financial and investment capacity, enabling it to participate in various investment projects within established financial and legal frameworks.
He further highlighted Oman’s pioneering experience in social protection, citing recognition from international organisations, including the International Labour Organization and the International Social Security Association.