Muscat – The Arab Steel Summit 2025 opened at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday under the patronage of H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.

Organised by the Arab Iron and Steel Union (AISU) and hosted by Vale, the two-day summit has brought together more than 600 officials, investors, and experts from leading regional and international companies in the steel industry. The event provides a key platform for dialogue among government representatives, private-sector leaders, and academics on the future of the steel sector in the Arab world.

Sessions are addressing issues such as the long-term outlook of the Arab steel industry, security of raw-material supply, value-chain integration, and the impact of new trade policies. Discussions also cover innovation, sustainability, and the transition to low-emission steelmaking, alongside recycling and circular economy initiatives. An international exhibition running alongside the summit showcases the latest industrial technologies and projects across the value chain.

H E Dr Saleh bin Said al Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, said Oman’s hosting of the summit comes at a time of major changes in global supply chains and energy markets. He noted that these shifts call for stronger regional integration and strategies aligned with global industrial and environmental transformations. “The iron and steel sector remains a cornerstone of industrial development, forming the backbone of infrastructure, energy, and construction projects,” he said.

Dr Masan added that the event reaffirms Oman’s position as a regional centre for metallurgical industries and a gateway for raw-material trade. He said the country aims to promote cooperation among Arab nations and build a more sustainable and competitive steel industry through innovation and technology, in line with its green economy and carbon neutrality goals.

At the opening CEO session, titled Visions of Arab Industry Leaders for the Future of Steel, industry heads, including Eng Ahmed Ezz of Ezz Steel, Abdulqader al Mubarak of Hadeed, Eng Saeed al Remeithi of Emsteel, and Dr Mohamed al Faqih of the Libyan Iron and Steel Company discussed market challenges, the transition to hydrogen-based steelmaking, and the need for coordinated Arab action to achieve value-chain stability.

Saleh al Muslahi, Chief Executive of Mega Hubs – Middle East and North Africa at Vale, said the summit highlights the region’s shared ambition for low-carbon industrial growth. “Our partnership with Oman reflects a common goal to enable low-carbon iron production and build the foundations of green steel. Oman’s vision, energy resources, and location place it at the centre of that transition,” he said.

AISU Chairman Eng Ahmed Ezz said Oman’s selection as host reflects the country’s growing influence in shaping the regional industrial agenda. He added that collaboration among union members and partners such as Vale is key to transforming dialogue into concrete cooperation, advancing innovation, and strengthening competitiveness across the Arab steel industry.