Muscat – Oman has called on G20 leaders to make religious and community institutions partners in promoting peace, equitable access to energy and sustainable development, highlighting the role of faith in addressing global challenges.

H E Dr Mohammed bin Saeed Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, made the call while addressing the G20 Interfaith Forum in Salt Lake City, the US, held from October 15 to 17 under the theme ‘Resilient Hope, Shared Future’.

Speaking at a plenary session on energy policies, religion, peace and human prosperity, H E Al Maamari said energy security must balance reliable supplies and affordability with environmental protection and the rights of future generations.

He argued that the management of natural resources was not merely a technical or economic issue, but also an ethical responsibility rooted in religious values. Policies, he said, should ensure fair distribution, reduce waste and prioritise communities that still lack access to energy.

Drawing on Oman’s history, the minister highlighted the country’s centuries-old maritime connections with other nations, including its relations with the US, established through a treaty in 1833. He also recalled the arrival of the Omani ship Sultana in New York in 1840, carrying an Omani envoy.

H E Al Maamari cited Oman’s traditional aflaj irrigation systems, five of which are inscribed on Unesco’s World Heritage List, as an example of collective resource management and responsibility towards others. He also referred to the waqf system, through which the benefits of endowments can extend across generations.

Oman’s approach to coexistence, he said, rests on dialogue, good neighbourliness and mutual respect. He highlighted initiatives including the Message of Peace and Human Harmony projects, as well as the Muscat Plan, launched at the United Nations headquarters in New York in June 2026.

Developed through consultations involving religious and traditional leaders and representatives of indigenous peoples, the Muscat Plan seeks to strengthen their role in preventing conflicts and countering hate speech.

H E Al Maamari called for policies that turn energy resources into shared prosperity, with religious and traditional leaders helping build trust and understanding within societies.

The forum brought together religious leaders, officials and experts to discuss interfaith dialogue, sustainable development, the ethics of artificial intelligence and contemporary humanitarian challenges.