Muscat – H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research and Innovation Authority, chaired the authority’s first board meeting of 2026 on Monday.

The meeting focused on setting general strategic directions, monitoring performance and enhancing the authority’s contribution to the national research and innovation ecosystem.

According to ONA, the discussions reflected integration between economic priorities and research and innovation as key drivers of competitiveness and a knowledge-based economy, in line with Oman Vision 2040.

At the outset, H H Sayyid Theyazin commended efforts to advance research and improve the innovation environment. He emphasised the authority’s role in translating knowledge and research into added value and enabling innovation to support development of the economic sector.

The board reviewed the authority’s 2025 annual report, including performance indicators, achievements and initiatives aimed at enhancing the research and innovation landscape in Oman.

The board was briefed on the launch of a competition for the Sultan Haitham Research Chair at higher education institutions. The initiative aims to stimulate scientific output and reinforce research capabilities.

In addition, members were updated on Oman’s successful bid to host the annual meeting of the Global Research Council in 2028. Hosting the forum is expected to consolidate the sultanate’s position within the international research community and expand its engagement in global scientific networks.