The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has unveiled a commemorative postage stamp to mark 50 years since Oman joined the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The stamp was signed by H.E. Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, and Sayyid Nasr bin Badr Al Busaidi, Chief Postmaster General at Oman Post (Asyad Express), during CAA’s 2025 Annual Media Briefing. The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information.

The commemorative stamp reflects Oman’s long-standing commitment to international cooperation in meteorology and climate science. It celebrates half a century of active contribution to the global meteorological community and a parallel journey of national capacity-building in a field vital to both development and disaster resilience.

The stamp design artistically blends the past with the present, showcasing traditional meteorological instruments such as the barometer, the hygrometers, and anemometer, representing the early beginnings of weather services in Oman, alongside the significant advancements made in infrastructure and early warning systems. The stamp serves as a visual record of 50 years of national contribution and international collaboration in protecting lives and property.

On this occasion, H.E. Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, affirmed that Oman’s accession to the World Meteorological Organization in 1975 marked a pivotal turning point in the establishment of an integrated national meteorological system. “The civil aviation sector in the Sultanate of Oman has received considerable attention throughout the country’s comprehensive development journey, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik – may God protect him. His Majesty’s directives have focused on strengthening early warning systems and adopting best practices to reduce the impact of severe weather conditions. Oman has made great strides in developing weather and early warning services, and over the past decades, these efforts have enhanced national preparedness for climate-related risks. This commemorative stamp stands as a tribute to that ambitious journey,” he said.

Sayyid Nasr bin Badr Al Busaidi, Chief Postmaster General at Oman Post, commented:
“We’re proud to launch this commemorative stamp marking 50 years since Oman joined the World Meteorological Organization. It captures an important chapter of international collaboration in aviation and meteorology, one that has played a vital role in Oman’s continued progress in weather and climate services, and in advancing sustainable development. The stamp also reflects the strength of cooperation between public sector institutions, and the close partnership between Oman Post and the Civil Aviation Authority. We hope it inspires future generations to recognize the value of meteorology and its essential role across a wide range of fields”.

“We are confident this stamp will be a valuable addition to Oman’s commemorative stamp collection, one that reflects the nation’s history and legacy, and captures key milestones and achievements realized each day under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik—may God protect him—in line with Oman Vision 2040”, he added.

Oman is considered a regional pioneer in meteorology. Its weather observation services date back to before 1900, with the first meteorological station established in Muscat in 1893. The sector witnessed rapid development following the opening of Seeb International Airport in 1973, eventually leading to the establishment of the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre, which began official operations in 2011 and is considered the first of its kind in the region.

Oman’s membership in the WMO played a key role in strengthening both technical capacity and human expertise. It enabled the exchange of knowledge and data with member states, participation in international climate initiatives, and access to cutting-edge technologies and global best practices. These factors contributed to improving forecast accuracy and national preparedness for natural hazards.

Among the sector’s major achievements is the launch of the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center (NMHEWC) in 2015. The Centre has since become a key institution for monitoring weather events, analyzing risks, and issuing timely alerts to the public and relevant authorities.  It now operates a broad network of advanced infrastructure, including 80 meteorological stations, 5 specialized weather radars, 2 radiosonde stations for atmospheric profiling, 8 sea-level monitoring stations, high-resolution numerical models, and AI-powered systems to analyze data and predict weather phenomena with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Another notable initiative is the Center of Excellence for Satellite Applications, established in Muscat in 2006. It is one of 14 WMO-recognized global centers. The Centre plays a significant regional role in training meteorological professionals from the Middle East, West Asia, and North Africa. It uses advanced satellite image analysis to monitor environmental and climate changes and supports the development of local forecasting models.

Additionally, the CAA is home to national experts who have earned regional and international recognition in meteorology. Notably, the Director General of Meteorology at the Authority was appointed President of the WMO Regional Association II (Asia) and a member of the WMO Executive Council for 2024. Additionally, the Director of Research and Development was named a member of Oman’s national climate negotiation team, while the Director of Forecasting and Early Warning Systems was appointed to the international working group on tsunamis in the Indian Ocean and West Asia. A satellite expert from the Authority was also appointed as the head of the WMO’s Ninth International Center of Excellence for Satellite Applications.

This commemorative stamp stands as a visual record of Oman’s meteorological history and a symbolic message of Oman’s dedication to preserving the legacy of its national achievements, while highlighting its positive contributions to global environmental protection and climate resilience.

The commemorative stamp offers a visual chronicle of Oman’s meteorological journey and reflects the nation’s ongoing commitment to preserving its legacy, while underscoring its contributions to global environmental protection and climate resilience.