National Day Oman
H.E. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman
In her welcoming speech, the ambassador emphasized her country's remarkable progress in recent decades, which has transformed it from a backward country into a relatively prosperous one. Although the population of just under 5.5 million is almost exclusively Muslim and conservative, women are highly respected and hold leading positions in politics and business. According to the constitution, men and women have had equal rights since 1996. Since opening up in 1971, Oman has been a member of the UN and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with a number of countries. Although Oman's economy has historically been based on oil production, there are now extensive programs to promote diversification, particularly in the areas of tourism, logistics, and mining. Oman is not only known for its hospitality, but also for its culture and arts and crafts. As a neutral partner, Oman has proven itself as a mediator in critical talks between different countries.
I.E. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, with Niels Annen, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
f.l.: Salim Al Habsi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Oman; H.E. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman; H.E. Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador of Japan.
f.l.: H.E. Abir Ali, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic; H.E. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman; H.E. Abdulla Ibrahim A. S. Al-Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar
Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives H.E. Ms. Aishath Shaan Shakir, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi H.E. Ms. Annonciata Sendazirasa, Embassy of Brunei Darussalam H.E. Ms. Pengiran Hajah Krtini Pengiran Haji Tahir, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia H.E. Ms. Yadir Salazar Mejia, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman H.E. Ms. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan H.E. Ms. Ilham Ibrahim Mohamed Ahmed, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba H.E. Ms. Juana Martinez Gonzalez, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo H.E. Ms. Louise Laura Nzanga Ramazani.