Muscat – Oman is set to host the sixth edition of the Urban October Conference & Exhibition from October 5 to 8, bringing together international and local urban development experts, real estate developers, investors and innovators at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning announced the event at a press conference held in Sultan Haitham City on Tuesday, highlighting its transformation into a major international platform for urban development.

Held under the theme ‘Urban October’ and in conjunction with World Habitat Day 2026, the event is being organised in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Maher bin Ali Al Hinai, Director of the Communication and Media Department at the ministry, said the event aims to bring together leaders, experts and innovators to explore sustainable urban development, unlock investment opportunities and accelerate infrastructure readiness for the cities of the future.

The exhibition has expanded significantly since its launch, with its total area now exceeding 19,000sqm, compared with just 800sqm in its first edition.

This year’s event will coincide with Oman hosting World Habitat Day 2026, with a UN delegation led by Anacláudia Rossbach, UN Undersecretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, alongside representatives from 50 countries.

The conference programme will feature 50 specialised papers led by UN experts, covering housing, urban planning, quality of life and urban resilience.

The exhibition will feature 200 exhibitors and 160 real estate developers, alongside 100 international and local speakers. It will also include 25 side events held across several governorates and showcase 25 projects by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Oman’s future city projects will also be presented to the international community, providing a platform to highlight the sultanate’s urban development plans and opportunities.

Al Hinai said the growing scale and international participation reinforce the event’s position on the global urban calendar and strengthen Oman’s role in international dialogue on cities and urban development.

He said the event will facilitate knowledge transfer and the exchange of international best practices, while connecting the capabilities of the Omani market with international expertise to create investment and development opportunities.

The conference and exhibition are also expected to generate tangible outcomes for Oman’s housing sector, including the awarding of tenders for new projects, creating new homeownership opportunities and launching the ‘Your First Home’ initiative for citizens eligible for government land grants.

The event’s focus is aligned with the wider objective of World Habitat Day — promoting adequate housing for all — while providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss how cities can become more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for future growth.