Oman to Host ICESCO Delegation to Advance Dialogue, Cultural
Diplomacy

Salalah, 24 Aug 2026 (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman,
represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, will host a delegation
from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(ICESCO) tomorrow “Wednesday” to implement the Civilization Bridges programme.

Running from 25 to 28 August in Dhofar Governorate, the
initiative aims to explore the Governorate’s rich civilizational, cultural,
heritage, and developmental assets, while reinforcing institutional cooperation
between the Organization and the Sultanate of Oman to foster civilizational
dialogue, cultural diplomacy, and to consolidate partnerships between ICESCO,
its Member States and their National Commissions.

The visit is grounded in the programme’s strategic vision of
transforming cultural tours from mere field visits into dynamic platforms for civilizational
dialogue and institutional engagement. This approach enables ICESCO leaders and
experts to gain direct insight into the national experiences of Member States, familiarize
themselves with their cultural distinctiveness, national institutions, and
development initiatives, and identify emerging avenues for collaboration and
partnership.

The visit agenda includes a series of site visits and meetings
highlighting historical landmarks, heritage sites, and cultural institutions,
alongside reviews of select development initiatives and projects. The
delegation will also examine local best practices in the domains of culture,
heritage, tourism, archaeological site preservation, and community participation
in civilizational and developmental progress.

Furthermore, the visit will facilitate exchanges with officials
and stakeholders active in heritage, tourism, culture, and development sectors,
thereby promoting the sharing of expertise and experience, identifying new
collaborative opportunities between ICESCO and Omani national institutions, and
strengthening alignment between the Organization’s programmes and the
developmental and cultural priorities of its Member States.

The outcomes of the visit are expected to define new areas of
cooperation, enhance the exchange of expertise and best practices, and support
joint initiatives within ICESCO’s areas of competence, thereby strengthening
the Organization’s field presence and consolidating its position as a leading
platform for civilizational diplomacy and cultural development across the Islamic
world.

It is noteworthy that the Civilization Bridges initiative
was launched by the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences
at ICESCO with the aim of developing new cooperation mechanisms between the
Organization and its Member States. This is achieved by deepening direct
knowledge of national experiences, building networks of relationships between
ICESCO experts and national institutions, and encouraging the exchange of
expertise and best practices.

— Ends/AH