Oman and Belgium Unite for a Strategic Partnership Around Green Hydrogen
The Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Belgium have signed a historic memorandum of understanding to strengthen their partnership in the field of green hydrogen. This agreement, formalized during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to Belgium, unites Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) and the Belgian Hydrogen Council (BHC) in a shared ambition: to boost the global hydrogen economy by developing modern infrastructures and facilitating knowledge transfer.
After 46 years of strong bilateral relations, this memorandum of understanding represents a new milestone, emphasizing deeper collaboration throughout the hydrogen value chain. This cooperation includes production, transport, usage, and the promotion of hydrogen as a pillar of the global energy transition. The two countries also plan to explore synergies with other European partners while addressing regulatory challenges and investing in research and development.
An Alliance for a Seamless Global Supply Chain
According to H.E. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals and President of Hydrom, this agreement positions Oman as a hub for green hydrogen production, while Belgium strengthens its role as an industrial gateway for Europe. “Together, we aim to accelerate the transition to clean energy by developing infrastructures and innovations that will connect producers and global markets,” he stated.
Belgium, leveraging its strategic role as a gateway to European markets, will bring its industrial expertise and infrastructure management capabilities. Oman, on the other hand, relies on its massive production potential, already illustrated by projects such as Hyport Duqm, a partnership between OQ Alternative Energy (Oman) and DEME (Belgium).
Concrete Commitments for the Future
The two countries have also implemented joint initiatives, such as hydrogen certification and the development of favorable commercial frameworks. The declaration of intent signed in 2023 has already laid the groundwork for this ambitious agreement.
Additionally, Oman continues its goal of becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production under the coordination of Hydrom. This national entity oversees transformative projects, ensuring that key initiatives align with sustainability and technological progress objectives.
Through this partnership, Oman and Belgium take a decisive step toward global energy security and an accelerated transition to clean energy.