Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman today chaired the semi-annual meeting of the board of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC) for the year 2026. Represented by the Research and Innovation Authority (RIA), Oman led the meeting in its capacity as chair of the 47th session of the FASRC.

According to Oman News Agency, the meeting, held via videoconferencing, reviewed the Secretariat-General's report that included the launch of research awards and the expansion of research and innovation networks, comprising 8,000 Arab researchers. The report also included a review of financial indicators, which saw the allocation of more than one million US dollars to support scientific activities and programmes.

The meeting focused on joint strategic initiatives and projects, emphasizing Arab alliances for scholarly research and innovation. Among the initiatives discussed was the Federation's initiative codenamed 'Solidarity for the Future'. Mechanisms for activating the Arab Programme of Scientific Exchange and the Arab Green Innovation Programme were also on the agenda, as well as enhancing the role of scientific associations in supporting researchers and innovators in the region.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the member states emphasized the need to maintain joint Arab efforts in the fields of research and innovation, aiming to achieve sustainable development and build a knowledge-based economy in the Arab world. The RIA's participation was led by Dr. Saif bin Abdullah Al Haddabi, Chairman of the Research and Innovation Authority.