Workshop
Explores Means of Employing Satellites, Drones in Flood Risk Analysis

Muscat,
28 July 2026 (ONA) — The Financial Services Authority organized today a
workshop on “Flood Risk Analysis Using Satellite and Drone
Technologies,” with the participation of representatives from the Civil
Defence and Ambulance Authority, insurance companies and brokers, alongside a
number of specialists and experts in the fields of modern technologies and risk
management.

The
opening of the workshop was held under the auspices of Muneer Ali Al Muneeri,
Deputy President for Operations at Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

The
workshop aims to review the latest technologies and innovative solutions used
in flood risk analysis. It also seeks to enhance the readiness of the insurance
sector to benefit from satellite and drone technologies in data collection and
analysis, damage assessment, and the improvement of underwriting operations and
insurance claim settlements, which contributes to raising the sector’s
efficiency and enhancing its capacity to deal with natural risks.

Ahmed
Ali Al Maamari, Deputy CEO of the Financial Services Authority, delivered a
speech in which he affirmed that the rapid development in artificial
intelligence, data analysis, and remote sensing technologies has brought about
a fundamental shift in risk management methods. He pointed out that the
insurance sector increasingly relies on accurate data and proactive analysis to
make more efficient decisions, which contributes to developing insurance
products and elevating the quality of services provided.

He
explained that rapid climate changes emphasize the importance of transitioning
from dealing with the aftermath of disasters to the early prediction of risks,
preparing for them, and mitigating their impacts. He affirmed that adopting
modern technologies has become a strategic choice to enhance the readiness of
institutions and raise the efficiency of the risk management system.

He
noted that the exceptional weather conditions witnessed by the Sultanate of
Oman over the past years have highlighted the need to develop more accurate
tools for assessing natural risks and to rely on modern technologies in
gathering and analyzing data. This enhances the speed of response, raises the
efficiency of damage assessment, and supports decision-making based on accurate
and reliable information.

He
clarified that the applications of these technologies extend to supporting the
operations of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, emergency management,
urban planning, and infrastructure protection. This enhances integration among
national institutions and raises the level of readiness to deal with weather
conditions and natural risks.

The
workshop included several working papers and technical presentations, in
addition to an interactive simulation that showcased the practical applications
of modern technologies in flood risk analysis. It also highlighted their role
in developing risk assessment practices and enhancing the efficiency of
decision-making in the insurance sector.

The
workshop concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuing to employ modern
technologies in developing the insurance sector and enhancing cooperation
between regulatory bodies, technological institutions, and insurance companies,
which contributes to building a more efficient system for managing natural
risks. It affirmed that the future of the insurance sector in the Sultanate of
Oman is based on innovation, digital transformation, and benefiting from modern
technologies by encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions and enhancing
partnerships with technology companies. This will raise market efficiency,
strengthen the risk management system, and support the targets of Oman Vision
2040 in building a diversified and sustainable national economy based on
knowledge, technology, and innovation.

—Ends/AG