Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
The Embassy of Oman in Cyprus hosted a vibrant reception on Monday at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia to mark the Sultanate’s National Day, four days after the official celebration back home on November 20. Diplomats, officials, and members of the local business and cultural community gathered to toast Oman’s history, achievements, and growing friendship with Cyprus.
The reception had an immediately welcoming feel. From the moment guests stepped through the entrance, photographs of Oman’s history and landscapes framed the path toward the ballroom, where the scent of cardamom, Oman’s signature touch, floated through the air along with trays of Omani coffee and beautifully prepared dishes. European and Middle Eastern embassies, and even the US was represented, filled the room, giving the event a genuinely international buzz.
The Ambassador, Mohammed Abdullah Awadh Alnahdi, opened the event with remarks that included a warm acknowledgment of Cyprus’ role in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Cyprus was represented by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis, who later took the podium to thank Oman for its steadfast support on the Cyprus issue.
What stood out most was the atmosphere itself: the Omani delegation’s friendliness was unmistakable, with smiles, greetings, and the easy way they insisted everyone try a coffee or a sweet. It set the tone for a reception that blended heritage with modern ambition, echoing Oman’s journey from the founding of the Al BuSaidi State in 1744 to the forward-looking Vision 2040 that is reshaping its education, healthcare, scientific research, environmental policy, and infrastructure today.
Oman’s economy, increasingly less dependent on oil, was a focal point: non-oil exports now account for nearly a third of GDP, which reached RO 10.171 billion this year, up 1.7% from 2024. The reception also spotlighted Oman’s growing international footprint, from new trade and scientific partnerships to regional diplomacy rooted in dialogue and respect for international law.
Attendees got a close-up view of Oman’s achievements: the country has invested in new schools, cutting-edge hospitals, environmental conservation efforts, and a robust social protection system supporting families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Artifacts, publications, and visual displays helped paint a picture of a nation balancing heritage with modern ambition.
Cyprus and Oman’s ties were also celebrated, reflecting growing cooperation in health, transport, and maritime affairs. The Sultanate reaffirmed support for a just resolution to the Cyprus issue and extended wishes for Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council presidency in 2026.
From the elegant setup of the Hilton ballroom to the steady hum of conversations around Oman’s scientific and cultural achievements, the reception provided a sense of a country proud of its past and ambitious for its future, sharing its story with friends in Cyprus while underscoring the values of unity, progress, and international engagement.
