Oman and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Renew Scientific Collaboration to Advance Knowledge Exchange and Seed Conservation
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Oman Botanic Garden, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The signing ceremony took place in London in the presence of H.E. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism, and Mr. Richard Deverell, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
This MoU marks a renewed and expanded collaboration between the two institutions, building on more than a decade of partnership in scientific research, plant conservation, and biodiversity documentation. It reinforces both parties' shared commitment to knowledge exchange, training, and capacity building, particularly in seed collection and preservation following international standards.
The agreement also covers collaborative scientific research and publication, as well as specialized training programs designed to strengthen national expertise in environmental education and plant conservation.
The MoU will remain in effect for three years, renewable upon mutual agreement, ensuring long-term cooperation and sustainable knowledge transfer between Oman and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Laila Al Harthy, Head of Botany and Conservation at the Oman Botanic Garden, stated:
“This renewed agreement represents an inspiring model of international collaboration in plant conservation. Through our enduring partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we continue to exchange expertise in seed conservation and strengthen Oman's role as a regional hub for botanical research and biodiversity preservation."
Richard Deverell, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said:
“We are delighted to renew and expand our collaboration with the Oman Botanic Garden, an institution that shares our deep commitment to understanding and conserving the world's plant diversity. Over many years, our partnership has helped to build vital conservation capacity in the region. This new agreement will strengthen our joint efforts to protect Oman's flora and to inspire future generations to value and conserve the natural world.