As an American of Arab heritage, it is a special privilege to be here, for the second year in a row, to honor one of America’s oldest allies and an ancient Arab nation. Oman’s cosmopolitan and independent spirit shine through in the strong relationship our countries share today.
As Prepared for Delivery
Thank you, Your Excellency, Ambassador Al Mughairy, and also, Your Excellency, Ambassador Al Hinai, for welcoming me here to this celebration.
I want to send best wishes to His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman, on the occasion of Oman’s 49th National Day.
As an American of Arab heritage, it is a special privilege to be here, for the second year in a row, to honor one of America’s oldest allies and an ancient Arab nation.
Oman’s cosmopolitan and independent spirit shine through in the strong relationship our countries share today.
I have been pleased to work personally with Oman’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi.
Our work has covered a range of issues, from combating antimicrobial resistance to advancing cancer research.
We were pleased to hear about a new initiative Oman will be launching with Switzerland about how to use health diplomacy as a peace-building strategy, called Health for Peace, and we look forward to seeing the results of that effort.
I had a productive and substantive discussion over the phone with Minister Al Saidi earlier this month, and we look forward to deepening this bilateral relationship, leveraging Oman’s role as a diplomatic leader, in the years to come.
Particularly as we mark the 49th celebration of Oman’s National Day, coming up on a half century of this celebration, I want to congratulate His Majesty, the Sultan, on the tremendous progress Oman has made domestically over the decades in human development and public health.
Internationally, the Sultan has taken a nation with thousands of years of trading and maritime heritage to new heights, with the role it now plays as a 21st century diplomatic power.
I congratulate the Sultan and all of the representatives of Oman here today on these accomplishments.
I look forward to continued friendship with Oman in the years to come, and thank you again for inviting me here today.
