In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Oman’s membership in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and reaffirming the Civil Aviation Authority’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in meteorology and climate fields, the Authority today unveiled the 50th-anniversary logo at its headquarters. The event was attended by the President of the WMO, the President of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and several officials from relevant entities.

In this regard, His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated: “Oman’s membership in the World Meteorological Organization reflects its commitment to enhancing international cooperation in the field of meteorology. Over the past fifty years, Oman has witnessed significant advancements in meteorological and climate services, contributing to the support of sustainable development.”

 This statement was made during the 11th meeting of the Virtual Laboratory Management Group for Centres of Excellence on Satellite Applications (VLMG-11), hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority from 20 to 23 January 2025. The meeting brings together over 35 representatives from the World Meteorological Organization, satellite agencies, and Centres of Excellence for satellite applications.

The meeting aims to discuss ways to enhance international cooperation in satellite technology and its applications, review progress in training programmes, and explore avenues for collaboration with other training centres. It also seeks to identify opportunities for cooperation, exchange tools and expertise, and support the transition to modern satellite technologies among member states of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Joint working sessions will also be held to develop future strategies for training activities, with the goal of improving the use of satellite products in protecting lives and property.

The Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications in Muscat (COE-Muscat) serves as a regional training hub focusing on the applications of satellite data in meteorology. It aims to train users and researchers from countries in Northwest Asia, the Middle East, and Arab nations in Africa on the use of satellite data for meteorology and climate. The centre also works to strengthen regional expertise in this field. It is part of the WMO’s initiative to establish training centres for satellite applications and receives support from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).

This year, the centre celebrates 20 years since its establishment, during which it has achieved significant milestones. In 2024, the centre trained over 500 participants from 27 countries in the Middle East, West Asia, and North Africa. It delivered 10 diverse training programmes, including remote learning, blended learning, and in-person sessions. The programmes covered over 10 different areas of satellite applications, such as climate, marine studies, and data services. Additionally, the centre fosters collaboration with more than 10 local entities, including Sultan Qaboos University, the German University of Technology, the Royal Navy of Oman, and the National Space Programme. It also coordinates with three other regional WMO-affiliated centres in Morocco, Kenya, and the Regional Environmental Monitoring Centre for Dust.

It is worth noting that Oman, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority, has been a member of the WMO for over five decades, reflecting its ongoing commitment to enhancing international cooperation in meteorology and climate fields. This membership has contributed to improving Oman’s meteorological infrastructure, enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts, and fostering the exchange of expertise with other countries. It has also played a pivotal role in raising public awareness about climate change issues and encouraging active community participation in adaptation efforts and mitigation of its impacts.