BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
In a decisive move underscoring Oman’s commitment to institutional renewal and long-term development, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Tuesday issued a comprehensive set of Royal Decrees that mark one of the most significant administrative and structural reforms in recent years. The decrees, spanning economic governance, education, research, social development, investment, and the restructuring of the Council of Ministers, reflect a clear vision aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening coordination, and accelerating the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
At the heart of the reforms is Royal Decree No. 7/2026, which establishes the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, defining its specializations and approving its organizational structure. This step elevates economic policymaking to the highest executive level, reinforcing the Sultanate’s focus on sustainable growth, diversification, and global competitiveness. Complementing this, Royal Decree No. 8/2026 creates the Oman Global Financial Centre, an autonomous entity reporting to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, designed to position Oman as a regional and international financial hub.
Several decrees streamline governance by abolishing or merging entities to reduce duplication and enhance effectiveness. The Higher Committee for Conferences was abolished under Royal Decree No. 9/2026, while Royal Decree No. 10/2026 strengthened the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers by granting it legal personality and autonomy, and transferring key communication and performance units under its umbrella. A major pillar of the reform package focuses on knowledge, innovation, and human capital. Royal Decree No. 11/2026 establishes the Research and Innovation Authority as an independent body reporting to the Council of Ministers, consolidating research and innovation functions previously housed within the Ministry of Higher Education.
In parallel, Royal Decree No. 12/2026 renames and restructures the Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education, expanding its remit and reinforcing standards across academic and professional education. The education sector witnessed a landmark transformation under Royal Decree No. 14/2026, which merges the Ministry of Education with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation into a single Ministry of Education. This unification aims to ensure coherence across all stages of education, from early learning to higher education, while maintaining specialized authorities for research and quality assurance.
Economic and social governance were further refined through decrees defining the specializations and structures of the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Social Development, while amendments to the Oman Investment Authority system introduced two deputy chairmanships to strengthen oversight and operational effectiveness. Perhaps most notably, Royal Decree No. 17/2026 restructures the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of His Majesty the Sultan, appointing Deputy Prime Ministers for the Council of Ministers, Defence Affairs, and Economic Affairs, alongside a carefully balanced ministerial lineup reflecting continuity and renewal. Together, these Royal Decrees signal a decisive phase in Oman’s administrative evolution, one that aligns governance structures with national priorities, empowers institutions, and lays a robust foundation for economic resilience, social development, and a knowledge-driven future.
