Dhofar wins top Arab Cities Award for invasive plant control programme

2026-03-09 - 18:08

Salalah – Dhofar governorate has won first place in the Environmental Health and Safety category of the 15th edition of the Organization of Arab Cities Awards for its Invasive Plant Control Programme (Parthenium), a pioneering initiative aimed at protecting natural ecosystems and biodiversity in the governorate. The programme is implemented by a national working group comprising Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and the Environment Authority, with the participation of Sultan Qaboos University, Dhofar University, University of Nizwa and the Oman Botanic Garden. Dr Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, chairman of Dhofar Municipality, said the achievement reflects the governorate’s strong commitment to implementing best practices in environmental health and safety. He noted that the parthenium weed control programme is based on an integrated vision that combines scientific planning, institutional partnership and continuous fieldwork to limit the spread of the invasive plant and protect natural grazing lands and biodiversity across the governorate. Al Ghassani added that Dhofar has been working to expand its environmental programmes and strengthen cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure the sustainability of results and promote a culture of prevention within the community, in line with regional efforts to enhance the development of Arab cities and improve quality of life. The programme has been implemented in cooperation with several government, academic and environmental institutions, which contributed to scientific research, environmental monitoring, community awareness campaigns and field studies related to invasive plant species and their spread. The Organization of Arab Cities, established in 1983, aims to promote innovation and urban development across the Arab world while preserving the identity and heritage of Arab cities and supporting sustainable development initiatives. The Environmental Health and Safety Award is one of the organisation’s key categories, recognising Arab cities that implement outstanding programmes in environmental protection, public hygiene and pollution reduction to enhance quality of life and safeguard the environment.