Oman’s strategic position and its coastline that extends more than 3,000 kilometers along the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea make it a major supporter of maritime security.
Realizing that one hand can’t clap, the country combines efforts with those of regional and global partners to enhance maritime security, trade and environmental sustainability on those three bodies of water.
It was among the first nations to join the multinational naval partnership Combined Maritime Forces, the Bahrain-based partnership founded in 2002. The Sultanate also works closely with the United States to ensure freedom of navigation in the key naval choke point of the Strait of Hormuz, and to counter illicit activities such as piracy and weapons and narcotics smuggling.
As part of such efforts, the Sultanate of Oman hosted in February 2025 the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) under the banner “A Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.” In attendance were many officials, diplomats and experts in maritime economics from around the world.
Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Oman’s minister of foreign affairs, underscored the importance of collective work.
“We share a common belief that the Indian Ocean is not just a body of water, but an economic lifeline, a platform for exchange, and a bridge for communication and friendship. We have a shared responsibility to address issues such as preserving the marine environment, ensuring freedom of navigation and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities to climate change,” he said.
The IOC was organized by Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the India Foundation and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. It has been held annually since 2016 to promote regional cooperation and address challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
It brings together heads of governments, senior officials, private sector representatives, scholars and experts to discuss common security concerns such as piracy, smuggling, territorial disputes, natural disasters and shipping disruptions.
Sources: Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Department of State