Muscat – Oman and Qatar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen environmental cooperation and conservation efforts between 2025 and 2029.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday by Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Oman’s Environment Authority, and Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al Mahmoud, Undersecretary of Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

The signing took place during the ongoing Oman Climate Week, highlighting both nations’ shared commitment to sustainability and collaborative ecological conservation.

The MoU outlines a framework for joint environmental projects, including funding mechanisms and cooperation in research, studies and the exchange of expertise. Significant focus will be placed on protecting endangered wildlife species, managing invasive species, rehabilitating vegetation cover and implementing sustainable management strategies for nature reserves. The agreement also considers the possibility of twinning wildlife reserves in both countries to enhance conservation efforts.

Another aspect of the agreement involves development of breeding centres for indigenous animal species, along with training programmes on animal care and breeding techniques. It also supports research in reproduction, animal behaviour and nutrition, while strengthening systems for managing endangered and dangerous wildlife species.

Oman and Qatar agreed to collaborate on advancing falconry practices, ensuring that these meet scientific and technical standards. Marine conservation will also be a priority, with provisions for joint efforts in coastal protection and reducing marine pollution. Experts from both sides will share data on sea turtle migration patterns – especially hawksbill turtles – through satellite tracking and coordinate efforts to conserve whale sharks. The MoU also supports joint measures to protect mangrove forests, coral reefs, and other rare marine and terrestrial species.

The agreement includes cooperation in environmental research, covering wildlife breeding centres, natural plant gardens, and documenting marine mammal and sea turtle strandings. A unified environmental performance index will be developed, alongside capacity-building programmes for managing hazardous waste, including workshops and technical visits. Both nations will also align their positions in international agreements concerning hazardous waste management.

In addressing climate change, the MoU promotes collaboration on air pollution control, greenhouse gas emission reduction and ozone layer protection. Experts from Oman and Qatar will work together on climate change adaptation strategies, resilience-building in vulnerable ecosystems and sustainable governance models.

Environmental Authority’s Amri noted that the executive programme will facilitate systematic knowledge-sharing between the two nations, particularly in biodiversity conservation, desertification control, pollution management and climate change mitigation. “Oman’s extensive experience in implementing environmental policies will be a significant contribution to this partnership,” he added.

Key highlights

• Development of breeding centres for indigenous animal species

• Potential twinning of wildlife reserves in Oman and Qatar

• Collaboration in sea turtle and whale shark conservation

• Establishment of a unified environmental performance index

• Advancement of falconry practices based on scientific standards