Geneva: Represented by the Research and Innovation (RIA), the Sultanate of Oman on Thursday took part in the 2026 Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit, held in Geneva, Switzerland. The event saw the participation of scientists, diplomats and policymakers.
The summit focused on the future of science and technology and their role in addressing global challenges. It also dealt with the anticipation of scientific and technological transformations and studied opportunities to enhance the application of scientific knowledge with the objective of backing international policies and decision-making.
Dr. Saif bin Abdullah Al Haddabi, Chairman of the Research and Innovation Authority (RIA), participated in the summit as a speaker in a panel discussion titled “Funding Scholarly Research, Academic Freedom and the Future of Global Research”.
During the session, he showcased the Sultanate of Oman’s experience in developing its research and innovation system, as well as mechanisms devised by Oman for aligning research priorities with national goals.
As part of his visit, Al Haddabi held meetings with entities operating in the field of scholarly research and innovation. This included a meeting with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to discuss prospects for joint cooperation for supporting research and innovation systems and consolidating gains from intellectual property towards the realisation of economic value.
The meeting reviewed Oman’s performance in the Global Innovation Index and explored the possibility of WIPO providing technical and advisory support for the development of a national plan for research and innovation. The discussion also covered ways to make optimum use of programmes offered by the WIPO Academy to upgrade national capabilities.
Al Haddabi also conferred with the Head of the Swiss Innovation Agency to learn about the Swiss experience in bridging the gap between research and the industrial sector.
He also met with officials from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to discuss a review of the Sultanate of Oman’s policies on developing science, technology and innovation, as well as an assessment of Oman’s national research and innovation system.
Later, Al Haddabi held meetings with officials from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The meeting discussed cooperation in implementing training programmes aimed at developing Oman’s national capacity in the management of research projects and related policies.
In addition, Al Haddabi visited the premises of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Oman’s participation in the summit and meetings with global figures was in pursuance of the RIA’s efforts to enhance its international presence and broaden strategic partnerships—with the prime objective of supporting economic diversification and contributing to the realisation of the goals Oman Vision 2040.