Muscat – Oman marked World Creativity and Innovation Day on Sunday with the launch of two national initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of innovation and strengthening institutional performance in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Ministry of Labour (MoL) hosted a ceremony at its headquarters in Muscat under the patronage of H E Sayyid Salim bin Muslim al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Human Resources Development.

Speaking at the event, Mohammed bin Mubarak al Kalbani, Director General of Development and Social Security at MoL, emphasised the importance of innovation as a national value and a key enabler of sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the event, Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit launched two national programmes – ‘National Talent Count in Institutional Innovation’ and ‘Certified Innovation Professional’. These aim to develop Omani talent and build institutional capacity to address future challenges and boost government competitiveness.

Kalbani said innovation should no longer be limited to specific departments but become an integral part of institutional culture across all levels of government. “Every idea, no matter how simple, has the potential to make a real difference in improving performance and enhancing the workplace.”

He also highlighted MoL’s ongoing efforts to encourage a creative environment by supporting initiatives, investing in skills and offering platforms for the exchange of ideas.

The ceremony included a visual presentation on the Institutional Innovation and Change Management System, showcasing key trends and practices in public sector innovation. A dialogue session titled ‘Institutional Innovation: The Path to Sustainable Government Excellence’ brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss ways to integrate innovation in government operations.

World Creativity and Innovation Day, observed globally on April 21, emphasises the value of human capital and the need for a strong national ecosystem to translate ideas into sustainable solutions. Oman’s observance of the day reflects its growing commitment to institutional innovation as it moves toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy.