Muscat – Oman is working to secure Unesco Global Geopark status for Al Hajar Geological Park in South Batinah, aiming to position it as the country’s first site to join the prestigious global network.

Efforts to achieve this recognition were discussed at a recent meeting led by Masoud bin Saeed al Hashimi, Governor of South Batinah, in coordination with the Omani National Committee for Geoparks under Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. Discussions focused on ensuring that the park meets Unesco’s criteria.

If successful, Al Hajar Geological Park will join a select list of geoparks around the world that promote protection of geological heritage while supporting education and sustainable development.

Oman has a proven track record with Unesco registrations. The sultanate recently earned recognition for its sail training ship Shabab Oman on Unesco’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. Additionally, in partnership with other Arab states, Oman successfully registered ‘Henna: Rituals, Aesthetic and Social Practices’ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

To date, Oman has registered 15 elements on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, four of which are unique to the sultanate. These include Al Bar’ah (2010), Al Azi (2012), Al Ardha al Khail Wa al Jamal (2018) and Khanjar (2022).