Technical Seminar of the International Social Security
Association Kicks Off in Muscat
Muscat, 14 Apr (ONA) —— The Technical Seminar of the
International Social Security Association (ISSA) began today under the title
“Innovative Social Security Reforms to Address Emerging Challenges.”
Organized by the Social Protection Fund at Al Bustan Palace
Hotel, the two-day event is held in collaboration with the ISSA, the
International Labour Organization (ILO), and the ISSA Liaison Office for the
Arab Countries.
Dr. Faisal Abdullah Al Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund,
emphasized that the seminar comes at a time when social protection, insurance,
and pension systems worldwide are undergoing fundamental transformations due to
accelerating, multidimensional challenges. These include demographic
shifts—particularly population aging—alongside economic and social changes,
labor market developments, and the aspirations of younger generations for
fairer, more flexible, and sustainable systems.
In his speech, he highlighted the seminar’s significance as a
platform bringing together elite experts, policymakers, and representatives of
international organizations to review inspiring developmental experiences and
discuss ways to enhance social protection, insurance, and pension systems. The
goal is to improve their ability to respond to future risks and evolving
societal needs while fostering the exchange of insights, ideas, and successful
practices.
The seminar focused on presenting national reform experiences
within two structural themes of critical importance to the region. The first
addressed reforms tackling challenges related to social security financing,
population aging, climate change, and shifting labor markets.
The second centered on reforms aimed at expanding population
coverage, broadening social security systems through new branches and benefits,
and enhancing benefit adequacy.
The event opened with an in-depth presentation on Oman’s
comprehensive social protection system reform, which has garnered global
attention and earned the Omani Social Protection Fund the ISSA Good Practice
Award for Asia and the Pacific in 2024. This was followed by a strategic
analysis and perspectives from key international organizations on the state of
social security reforms, regional trends, and challenges.
The first day’s agenda featured a session titled “Social
Security Reforms in Oman – A Roadmap to Comprehensive Social Protection,”
where Sayyid Shabib Abdullah Al Busaidi, Deputy CEO for Social Protection
Affairs, delivered a detailed presentation on Oman’s pioneering experience in
social protection system reforms.
The second session, a roundtable titled “Where Do We Stand
in Social Protection in the Region? Trends, Challenges, and Macroeconomic
Balance – Building Sustainability,” examined the relationship between
social protection and economic policies, with participation from
representatives of the ILO, ISSA, World Bank, and UNICEF.
The third session, “Reforms and Measures to Address
Financing Challenges, Climate Change, Population Aging, and Evolving Labor
Markets,”* showcased inspiring international case studies.
The second day will include sessions on “Reforms to Expand
Coverage and Enhance Benefit Adequacy,” along with a high-level roundtable
featuring representatives of regional social security institutions.
Discussions will focus on developing these institutions to
implement reforms, sharing experiences, and identifying facilitators and
barriers to institutional change.
—— Ends/AH
