Oman National Day 2025: Key Celebrations and Government Plans
This year's celebrations focused heavily on national unity, reflecting on the nation's history, and highlighting progress in the development of human capital, social protection, and health—all core pillars of the Renewed Renaissance.
What Happened on November 20, 2025 (and surrounding days)?
1. The First Two-Day National Holiday
Royal Decree (Earlier 2025): His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued a Royal Decree establishing November 20 and 21 as the official two-day National Day holiday, commemorating the Al Busaidi State Foundation Day. This was the first year this new, extended holiday was observed, giving citizens and residents more time to participate in festivities.
2. Grand Public Festivities
Fireworks: Spectacular displays were held simultaneously across major cities on the evening of November 20:
Muscat: Seeb – Khoud Dam
Salalah: Dhofar – Ateen Plain
(A later show was scheduled for Khasab, Musandam on November 23).
Naval Fleet Review: The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) hosted a major Fleet Review on November 21 at Qurum Beach in Muscat, featuring 45 vessels, including warships, coast guard units, and Royal Yachts. Navies from GCC countries also participated, symbolizing strong regional maritime cooperation.
Patriotic Displays: Cities across the Sultanate were beautifully decorated with lights, flags, and patriotic displays, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of national pride.
3. Digital & Global Outreach
AI-Powered Platform: A new digital platform was launched to showcase Oman's history and receive National Day greetings from around the world. The platform featured an AI assistant capable of converting global messages into Arabic, aligning with the nation's digital transformation vision.
Oman Air Sale: Oman Air launched a National Day Global Sale with discounted fares across its extensive network, promoting tourism and connectivity.
Key Government Progress and Plans Highlighted
Government reports and announcements surrounding National Day primarily emphasized advancements across critical sectors, showcasing momentum toward Oman Vision 2040.
1. Education and Innovation
Technology Integration: His Majesty the Sultan emphasized the critical importance of equipping students with knowledge in modern technologies and integrating these into educational processes.
New Infrastructure: Sixteen (16) new school buildings were received and operationalized across nine educational directorates during 2025.
Research & Innovation: Oman saw significant improvement in its ranking in the Global Innovation Index, moving up 10 places over four years. Funding continues for various research projects under programs like the Strategic Research Program and 'Ejaad' for industrial research.
2. Social Protection and Welfare
Social Protection Law Implementation: Progress was highlighted on the comprehensive Social Protection Law, which redefines coverage across all life stages (retirement, unemployment, maternity, disability). Over 63.6% of eligible citizens have benefited since its launch.
Disability Support: Major commitments were announced, including a Royal Decree establishing a new undersecretary-level sector for disability services and a commitment of RO 7 million to establish a specialized care and rehabilitation center for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
3. Health Sector Development
Infrastructure Expansion: The inauguration of the National Health Policy sets a roadmap for a sustainable health system. Over the past year (2024 and 2025), 10 new health institutions were inaugurated, with major ventures like the National Virtual Health Centre and nine new hospitals currently under construction or development.
Economic & Future Focus: Oman's Trajectory Towards Vision 2040
The reports released around National Day 2025 demonstrate Oman's accelerated pivot away from oil dependence, showcasing significant and measurable progress toward economic diversification and global competitiveness.
1. Economic & Financial Milestones
Diversification Success: The contribution of non-oil sectors to Oman's GDP at current prices reached a high of 68.2% in 2024, up from 66.7% in 2023. This is the clearest sign of the diversification strategy succeeding.
Fiscal Strength: Public debt has been significantly managed, dropping to approximately 35.4% of GDP by the end of 2024, staying well below the Vision 2040 target ceiling of 60%.
Foreign Investment Boom: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) saw a substantial 18.0% increase in 2024, reaching OMR 30.1 billion, reflecting enhanced international investor confidence in key sectors like technology, tourism, and health.
Investment Facilitation: To smooth the process for international investors, the "Invest in Oman" (استثمر في عمان) hall has been activated, providing comprehensive, integrated services.
2. Infrastructure & Connectivity
Duqm Mega-Project: The Duqm Refinery is fully operational, with its capacity increasing in 2025 to 255,000 barrels per day, reinforcing Oman's position as a regional energy and logistics hub.
The GCC Railway Link: Progress continues on the high-impact Hafit Rail Company project—a joint venture with the UAE. This railway will link Abu Dhabi with Sohar, stretching 238 kilometers, and is expected to cut the travel time between the two major economic hubs to just 100 minutes.
Road Network: Major strategic road projects were completed or advanced, including the massive 725-kilometer Empty Quarter Road.
3. Cultural and Tourism Development
The New Cultural Visa: In a groundbreaking move just before National Day (effective November 10, 2025), Oman introduced a new Cultural Visa and Cultural Residence category.
Goal: This scheme is designed to attract international artists, scholars, researchers, and cultural professionals to live and work in the Sultanate for long terms (1, 5, or 10 years).
Significance: This initiative is aimed at fostering intellectual exchange, expanding cultural tourism, and building a stronger creative economy, aligning Oman with other global cultural hubs.
Environmental Tourism: Five new nature reserves were established, bringing the total to 31 reserves and 33 environmental sites. The Botanical Garden in Seeb was also highlighted as the largest of its kind in the Arab world, focused on preserving rare Omani plant species.
4. Governance and Digital Transformation
Anti-Corruption Gains: Oman advanced 20 ranks in the Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) to secure 50th place globally in 2024, reflecting strengthened governance and transparency efforts.
Digital Government: The new National Platform for Suggestions, Complaints, and Reports, "Tawajub" (تجاوب), was launched in February 2025, integrating 56 government entities to streamline public services.
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