Impactful insights by key policymakers set the tone for three days of deliberations that began at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) as part of Oman Sustainability Week (OSW) on Monday.
The primary focus of OSW activities on Monday was the start of the maiden edition of the International Sustainability Resources and Technology Conference (ISTRC) 2022 under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth
In welcome remarks, Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi (pictured), Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, noted that the event has attracted as many as 75 high-level experts as speakers from 22 different countries, in addition to around 500 delegates taking part in-person and online. He expressed his profound thanks to the large portfolio of organisations, sponsors and patrons that make possible the organising of the prestigious event.
A high-level Policymakers & Senior Executive session that followed the opening was moderated by HH Sayyid Dr Adham al Said, Assistant Professor of Economics at the College of Economics and Political Science in Sultan Qaboos University. The participants were: Dr Mansoor al Hinai, Chairman – Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR); Dr Ali al Shidhani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology – Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; and Eng Ahmed al Subhi, Chairman – Oman Environmental Services Holding (be’ah).
Dr Al Shidhani said the Sultanate of Oman had the necessary technical and infrastructure wherewithal to support the achievement of its sustainability objectives, but noted the potential for this infrastructure to be developed further. In this regard, he cited the example of the estimated 1,300 sites that form part of the 5G telecom infrastructure rolled out across the country. These sites can be used to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which in turn, can be harnessed to collect data on different environmental parameters. This data, if suitably analysed, can provide insights to help with better decision-making on the environment, he explained.
Dr Al Subhi of be’ah said the solid waste management entity has, from the outset, embraced international best practices in laying the foundations for a circular economy-based solid waste sector in the Sultanate of Oman. As a first step in this approach, all of the dumpsites in the country were converted into modern-style engineered landfills. In the next phase, the focus will be on recycling of waste – a process that has already begun, but will need to be further developed, he said.
Dr Al Hinai of APSR said the smart meters and prepaid meters rolled out across the country were helping reduce and optimise electricity consumption, thereby contributing not only to savings for customers, but also helping conserve resources and mitigating environmental impacts.
