We are so proud that the Sultanate of Oman is the hosting country of this global event due to its cultural and historical dimensions that qualify it for this hosting. We also thank the members of the International Federation of Photography for their vote in approving the holding of this event in our beloved country, which confirms that the features of the environmental, cultural, and civilizational diversity of our country are now clear to the whole world.

This event reflects the executive plan of Oman’s cultural strategy launched by the ministry in the second half of 2021. This Plan aims to lay the necessary strategic frameworks to strengthen the Sultanate of Oman as a leading cultural destination with a solid identity, organize and develop cultural work, create the appropriate environment for creativity, consolidate cultural identity and achieve leadership, and develop and sustain it locally and globally.

The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, has adopted a consistent approach to contribute to building a future that is proud of the identity that distinguishes us, and our extended history and ancient traditions, to ensure that the Sultanate of Oman is one of the priority destinations for culture.

We commend the role played by all those in charge of this event to ensure creating a distinctive experience for more than 181 photographers from several countries, united by a passion for photography to reflect the Sultanate’s cultural heritage by using the technical means available in our time in a way that can enhance cultural production based on innovation and creativity.

We hope that this event, which connects cultures, will lead to achieving its goals in investing cultural diversity as a means of introducing and promoting the Sultanate of Oman, strengthening its role as a world-leading cultural destination, and achieving partnership and integration with local and international institutions in the cultural fields.

HE Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi,
Cultural Affairs Under-Secretary
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth