As part of COMEX 2025, the National Open Data Portal was officially launched, serving as a key platform to foster transparency, enhance data accessibility, and drive innovation and digital transformation across all sectors
Date Published: 08 September 2025 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman – This evening, the Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Forum kicked off as part of COMEX 2025, under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, with the participation of Their Excellencies, distinguished experts, academics, and decision-makers from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The forum aims to showcase the latest innovations in these transformative fields and to strengthen Oman’s position in the global digital economy. Three National Initiatives During the forum, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, announced the launch of three national initiatives under the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies. The first initiative is the Omani Language Model “Maeen”, an ambitious project to develop an advanced AI-powered language model that reflects the uniqueness of the Omani language and culture. The project is designed to support government institutions with intelligent linguistic applications and to build a robust digital knowledge base that serves vital national sectors. The second initiative is the Omani AI Studio, an innovation platform that brings together experts with government, private sector, and academic institutions to develop practical solutions to operational challenges. The studio also provides specialized consulting services, training, and capacity-building for students in cutting-edge AI fields, while hosting workshops and awareness programs. Additionally, it seeks to support institutions in adopting AI solutions and creating new business opportunities. The third initiative is the National Open Data Portal, which aims to strengthen transparency and accountability by making government data accessible to citizens, researchers, and developers across sectors such as health, education, economy, and environment. The portal features an interactive user-friendly interface and advanced analytical tools designed to stimulate innovation and support research projects. Building a Digital Ecosystem In his address, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani emphasized that these three initiatives mark a strategic step toward building a fully integrated digital ecosystem aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. He highlighted their role in enhancing government services, driving innovation, and empowering national talent to harness the opportunities of future technologies. Forum Sessions The forum featured a series of keynote sessions, including a lecture by Professor Ahmed Younis titled “Quantum Computing: Opportunities and Risks”, and a presentation by Mehdi Bariyafi from the International Data Center Authority on the “Future of AI Infrastructure and Oman’s Strategic Position”. The event also included a panel discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, followed by an in-depth dialogue with global experts from leading companies and universities under the theme “From Concepts to Applications.”
34 Government institutions have now published their data in line with the approved national standards and policies for open data. Open data is considered the backbone of the digital revolution. It provides the fuel for artificial intelligence technologies and enables new solutions, informed decision-making, and investment opportunities. It also strengthens trust between the government and citizens, promotes transparency, and supports progress across multiple fields. Hasan bin Fada Husain Al Lawati, Head of the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, explained: “In today’s fast digital transformation, open data is a key factor for transparency, innovation, and better public services. It also helps improve Oman’s global ranking in digital transformation and AI readiness. For this reason, the Ministry encourages government agencies to publish their data openly in different sectors.” To support this goal, the Open Government Data Policy was issued in January 2025. This policy sets clear standards for managing and publishing government data, ensuring that information collected by state institutions is made available for public, research, and commercial use. As part of the initiative, the Ministry is also developing a unified national open data platform, which is expected to launch in a trial version by the end of this year. The platform will offer wide access to datasets from different sectors, helping citizens, researchers, and businesses benefit from reliable, machine-readable information. The Ministry’s ongoing efforts reflect Oman’s strong commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and building a transparent, knowledge-based economy
The Digital Transformation Conference – COMEX 2024 highlighted the National Open Data Portal, a pivotal step in enhancing digital transparency and supporting the growth of the digital economy in the Sultanate of Oman. The portal provides an integrated platform for government entities to upload and make their data available openly, allowing investors, researchers, and startups access to accurate information to support innovation and strategic decision-making. This initiative is part of the Sultanate's efforts to promote digital transformation and increase the digital economy's contribution to the GDP, in line with Vision 2040 to enhance efficiency and innovation in government and private services.
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology organized an "Open Data Forum" at the Mövenpick Hotel, Halls 1 and 2, attended by a group of officials and experts in the field of digital data. The meeting addressed a number of key topics aimed at promoting the concept of open data and its importance in supporting decision-making and transparency, including: -Principles of Open Data Dissemination and its Importance -National Data Strategy -Data Classification -National Open Data Platform -Success Stories of Institutions in Data Dissemination The program also included a speech by His Excellency Undersecretary Ali bin Amer Al Shaidhani, who reviewed the role of government agencies in promoting open data dissemination and its role in developing digital services. The meeting aims to exchange experiences and best practices among institutions and encourage them to leverage the National Open Data Platform to support digital transformation and enhance transparency in the provision of government services.
Muscat - As part of efforts to promote transparency and data accessibility, the relevant authorities organized an introductory workshop for government agencies. The workshop aimed to introduce the National Open Data Platform's operating mechanism and the basic requirements for entering data for each entity. The workshop included a detailed presentation of the steps for entering data into the platform, emphasizing the importance of adhering to approved standards, which will contribute to enhancing the use of open data to support innovation and develop government services.
The Periodic Digital Transformation Conference The periodic digital transformation conference was held on June 18, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Al Irfan. A presentation was given on the National Open Data Portal. The presentation included the following topics: - Reviewing the portal's objectives and strategic directions. - Highlighting the developments and achievements of the portal. - Introducing the most important features and benefits it provides. - Clarifying the role of government agencies and their basic requirements within the framework of this portal. This conference comes within the framework of efforts to promote digital transformation and implement the principles of transparency and data accessibility.
There is a vast amount of information and services available on the internet, but the inability to access many of them still poses a barrier for people with disabilities and elderly. The concept of digital accessibility is summarized by ensuring that all electronic information, services, and applications are accessible and easily usable by all individuals, including those with disabilities and the elderly. Click here to download a copy of the National Digital Accessibility Policy
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