Muscat – The National Museum organised the National Symposium on the Repatriation of Omani Cultural Property Abroad on Tuesday, under the patronage of H E Eng. Ibrahim bin Said al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage. This significant gathering brought together representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Records and Archives Authority, and the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science to address the protection of the Sultanate’s historical assets. The symposium aimed to elevate national awareness regarding cultural property as a core component of Omani identity while highlighting the legal frameworks and international conventions, such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention, that govern the recovery of these items.
In her keynote address, Dr Fatma bint Mohammed al Balushi, Advisor to the Secretary-General for Museum Affairs, emphasised that the repatriation of antiquities and manuscripts is a strategic priority aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Across two academic sessions, experts discussed the role of cultural diplomacy, the impact of illicit trafficking, and the necessity of documenting heritage within the National Legislative System. The event concluded with a call for increased institutional coordination and the preparation of a comprehensive list of missing Omani property to facilitate international identification and recovery. This initiative follows the recent formation of a dedicated working team established by the National Museum’s Board of Trustees in August 2025 to safeguard the nation’s civilisational legacy.
