Muscat – The Al Hajar Geopark project has successfully passed the initial evaluation stage for Unesco Global Geopark status, bringing the sultanate closer to establishing its first officially recognised Global Geopark.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said the project dossier was submitted to Unesco through the Omani National Committee for Geoparks and has successfully cleared the initial evaluation stage. The ministry is currently preparing a strategic plan to develop up to eight Global Geoparks across the sultanate.

Hussein bin Ali Al Ghafri, Director of the Geological Heritage Department at the ministry, said the successful evaluation paves the way for the project’s official designation next year as Oman’s first Global Geopark.

The project aims to showcase Al Hajar’s geological heritage, distinctive landscapes and tourism attractions, while supporting the preservation and promotion of Oman’s geo-heritage.

Under the plan, two visitor centres will be established to showcase the park’s geological features and key tourism attractions. The project also provides for future expansion into the wilayats of Jabal Akhdar and Rustaq.

The visitor centres will help raise awareness of the area’s geological significance and provide visitors information about its natural and tourism resources.

Regarding the plan to develop up to eight Global Geoparks across Oman, Al Ghafri said that the proposed network will include areas with significant geological and natural features, including Dhofar, Musandam and Al Huqf in Al Wusta.

“The wider geopark programme seeks to develop Oman’s geological heritage as a tourism and educational resource while supporting sustainable development and community-based economic opportunities in areas of geo-heritage importance,” he said.

With Al Hajar having cleared the initial Unesco evaluation, the project will now move towards the next stage of assessment ahead of the anticipated official designation next year.