Muscat: The Omani Child Protection Committee convened its first meeting of 2026, presided over by Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development for Family and Community Development, who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee. The meeting focused on the potential unification of mechanisms within child protection committees operating across the Sultanate of Oman.

According to Oman News Agency, the Committee emphasized the importance of consolidating public awareness and enhancing professional training for personnel in the child protection field. Held at the Ministry of Social Development's headquarters in Muscat, the meeting reviewed proposals and initiatives from relevant departments. Additionally, the session evaluated the progress on recommendations set forth during the committee's second meeting in 2025.

A significant agenda item was the influence of digital media on children, along with strategies to protect those vulnerable to abuse, including early detection mechanisms. The Committee also explored avenues to enhance technical procedures within electronic systems that support the management and follow-up of child cases.

Discussions included the improvement of electronic integration and information sharing between the central child protection committee and related departments. Educational and health matters concerning children benefiting from Public Care and Accommodation Services were also addressed, alongside the evaluation of the performance of committees across Oman's governorates.