RIBA signs memorandum of understanding with Oman Society of Architects

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Oman Society of Architects (OSA) during its Urban October programme in Muscat, the institute announced on 29 October.

RIBA said the agreement, signed earlier in the month, was intended to lay the foundations for long-term collaboration between the two bodies, support its presence in the Gulf and expand opportunities for its members.

The areas of cooperation are professional knowledge exchange, research, training and continuing professional development (CPD), engagement with architecture schools and collaboration at industry events, according to RIBA.

Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, RIBA Chief Executive, said: "Our new partnership with the Oman Society of Architects is another significant milestone in our growing international engagement, and comes at an exciting time as Oman's architectural landscape continues to evolve rapidly."

RIBA's announcement did not name the signatories or give the date of signing. The OSA's own website carried no mention of the agreement when checked on 30 October.

The Muscat programme

RIBA's Urban October 2026 programme ran from 5 to 8 October at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat. RIBA said it was delivered in partnership with Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the OSA.

The programme included a joint RIBA and OSA debate, two Meet the Decision Makers sessions and a Design Hackathon in which Omani and international practices worked together, according to RIBA's event page.

RIBA said the networking and stakeholder activities gave participants opportunities to build relationships with Omani consultancies, developers, investors and government representatives.

The partner body

RIBA describes the OSA as a professional association based in Muscat that serves the whole Sultanate and represents architects in the public and private sectors. On its own website the OSA says its purpose is to organise and elevate the architectural profession in Oman and that it aims to be the pioneering hub for architectural excellence.

RIBA in the Gulf

RIBA opened its Gulf office in December 2019 and says the office now has a membership of more than 400. Across the wider Middle East and Africa region, the institute says it supports close to 1,000 members.

Its member-managed Gulf Chapter covers Gulf Cooperation Council states including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.

The Oman agreement is the latest in a series of RIBA memoranda with overseas professional bodies. In May 2024 RIBA announced an MoU with the Society of Engineers United Arab Emirates covering training and professional development for architects and engineers. On 14 December 2025 it signed an MoU with the Architectural Society of China at the China Academy of Building Research in Beijing, announced the following January.

The State Visit

Later in October, Dr Vaughan-Dick attended the Oman State Visit Banquet in London alongside leaders from government, business and industry, RIBA said.

The Sultan of Oman visited the UK from 20 to 22 October as the guest of the King, according to the UK-Oman joint statement published by the Prime Minister's Office on 23 October. The statement said both sides welcomed stronger links on skills and professional qualifications, and that cooperation would remain focused on mutual benefit, Oman's Vision 2040 and the UK's growth agenda. It added that the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement would provide further opportunities to deepen trade and investment between the two countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said on 21 October that more than £1bn in new investment was set to generate jobs and opportunity across the UK and Oman during the visit. Total UK exports to Oman were £1.1bn in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to the FCDO.

Dr Vaughan-Dick said: "We will continue to strengthen our global partnerships, creating opportunities for our members to connect, work and develop their careers in markets around the world."

RIBA has not said when the first activities under the OSA agreement will take place.