Friday 19 / April / 2024
“The National Initiative for the Development of Local Governance” organised by the Royal Academy of Management in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Governorates was launched under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Minister of Interior. His Excellency attended the opening ceremony of the initiative, which will support His Highness and their Excellencies the Governors, their Excellencies the Governors of Muscat and Dhofar Municipalities in achieving balanced local development in accordance with the directions of Oman Vision 2040. This will be achieved by strengthening their skills in governance and economic decentralisation, and providing them with best practices in local government, positively affecting the governorates' development and competitiveness.
“On this occasion, His Excellency Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Minister of Interior and the ceremony’s patronage, expressed his deepest gratefulness and utmost gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for establishing the Royal Academy of Management and for the continued generous care given towards harnessing the capabilities necessary to upgrade the work system within departments of the state’s managerial apparatus.
“This is in line with requirements of the next stage of construction and development in all governorates and indicates His Majesty’s interest is embodied in restructuring the state managerial apparatus and royal decrees outlining horizons for a future vision for the blessed development process, thereby enabling governorates to manage and invest their resources, and develop human resources, in various sectors as a fundamental pillar upon which the government relies in its own development process.”
H.E. Dr. Ali Qassim Al Lawati, President of the Royal Academy of Management, explained that the launch of the initiative constitutes an important milestone for the Royal Academy of Management as it is one of the most important foundations for the future of Oman. The initiative supports local leaders and promotes economic decentralisation in accordance with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s continuous emphasis and focus on the importance of establishing a decentralised managerial structure for service and development processes in the governorates.
His Excellency stated that the initiative is based on several pillars, including Royal Decree No. 36/2022 regarding the issuance of the governorates system, and “Growth in the Governorates and Sustainable Cities” as the national priority in Oman Vision 2040. He also emphasised the function and role of the Academy in the training and development of government leaders. His Excellency explained that the design of the National Initiative went through several stages in a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Governorates. This involved presentations by / to His Highness, their Excellencies the Governors, and their Excellencies the Mayors of Muscat and Dhofar Municipalities to ensure the initiative is practical and reflects reality, guaranteeing a clear connection and integration between the components of the initiative. Priorities were also set for its implementation.
The initiative includes three main components: Programmes, Quality of Service Index, and Studies. The initiative will be implemented in cooperation with executive partners who have expertise and practical experience at regional and international levels. They also have the ability to understand the local context and future directions for the development of the governorates. The initiative focuses on legislation regulating local management in the governorates, plans and national programmes, and how best to benefit from international practices and expertise.
The Governors Programme aims to enhance the capacity of local leaders (His Highness, their Excellencies the Governors, and their Excellencies the Governors of Muscat and Dhofar Municipalities) in the governorates. It will promote equitable local development in line with the Sultanate of Oman's economic decentralisation strategy. The programme includes three executive units as well as executive sessions that focus on competencies, leadership capabilities, governance and modern local management, and development projects. The programme also includes specialised external field meetings, internal field meetings, personal support sessions, and a national forum for local government. Through the programme, the Royal Academy of Management, in partnership with the executive partners, will host inspiring international leadership experts who have executive experience in leadership and strategy. They will present successful experiences and practices in management and local development that align with the comparative advantage of the Sultanate’s governorates. In addition, they will present pioneering development projects in various fields that have had an impact on local development, diversifying their economy and attracting investments.
Another component of the initiative is the “Quality of Service Index”, which aims to build a quantitative assessment system that will help in monitoring and developing the level of services provided in the governorates to beneficiaries. This will be done in a way that enhances the competitiveness of services and measures levels of satisfaction.
The initiative also includes “Studies”, which involves researching the current status and the future of local government, to assist in the formation of public policies. This component is concerned with conducting studies on the future of local government and the development of governorates around the world, helping to forecast the future and lay the groundwork for dealing with its challenges and developing effective strategies. Topics include local thought leadership institutions such as community innovation centres, governorates and sustainable development, and competitive city experiences.
"The National Initiative for the Development of Local Governance" will be implemented in partnership with a number of prominent local, regional, and international institutions in developing local government and enhancing leadership capabilities.
The ceremony also coincided with/included/involved the launch of the electronic platform for the National Initiative, as well as specialised sessions entitled: "Sublime Directives and Future Visions for the Development of the Governorates" chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Saidi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs. Speeches were given by His Excellency Dr. Saeed bin Mohammad Al Saqri, Minister of Economy and His Excellency Dr. Khamis bin Saif Al Jabri, Head of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, and Eng. Mohammed bin Saif Al Amri, Director of Governorates Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. The second session, entitled “Governance in Local Government in accordance with Oman's Vision 2040 and the Governorates System” included five papers presented by officials and specialists in local government and development from various government departments.
It was noted that the National Initiative is a sustainable development channel for local leaders with a strategic partnership between the Academy, the Ministry of Interior, and the governorates. The initiative was designed to identify the practical needs and aspirations of local management in the governorates.
The Royal Academy of Management has been blessed by the honorary patronage of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik since its establishment in January 2022. It aims to develop national leaders at various levels of management in the public and private sectors in line with Oman Vision 2040 in building an innovative and future-ready managerial apparatus. This will be achieved through an integrated suite of initiatives and programmes that are based on the latest trends in New Public Management delivered at specialised centres.
