Muscat – The United States Embassy in Muscat hosted a luncheon at the Diplomatic Club to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence – Freedom 250 – celebrating the historic and forward-looking partnership between the United States and Oman.

Senior Omani government officials, members of the diplomatic corps in Muscat, and other leading figures joined Ambassador H E Ana Escrogima for the event, which highlighted more than two centuries of friendship between the two maritime nations.

The event highlighted key milestones in the United States’ and Oman’s shared story, from the arrival of the American brig ‘Rambler’ in Muscat in 1790, the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1833 – America’s first trade agreement with an Arab state – to Ahmed bin Naaman’s pioneering 1840 voyage to New York aboard the ‘Sultanah’, as well as the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and establishment of the US-Oman Strategic Dialogue.

In her remarks, H E Ana also highlighted current cooperation, including Oman’s accession to the Artemis Accords and a 63% increase in bilateral trade since the FTA entered into force.

“What better place to celebrate Freedom 250than in Oman, a nation that embraced the United States from its earliest days,” H E Ana said. “Our partnership with Oman is an essential part of our history and today we celebrate the fruitful cooperation between our two countries that has been strengthened over the decades by strong and mutually beneficial ties that have helped to make the region and the world safer and more prosperous.”

Attendees viewed a short video titled From the Sea to the Stars, highlighting the development of US-Oman relations, which will also be shared on social media on July 4. In addition, attendees were invited to visit an accompanying exhibition – The Founders Museum –  narrating the story of American independence and also recounting the bilateral relations with Oman.