The IATD Delegation’s Visit to Muscat: Strengthening International Cooperation in Sustainable Urban Development
Moscow, October 13, 2025 — A delegation from the International Association for Territorial Development (IATD), led by its chairman Vasily Mazitov, participated in the prestigious international forum Urban October. The event took place from October 6 to 9, 2025, in Muscat (Sultanate of Oman). Organized under the auspices of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Nations (UN), the forum emerged as a key global platform for discussing urban space development in the region.
Strategic Presentation of Agro‑Cities within Oman’s Vision 2040 Program
During the forum, IATD representatives were introduced to the Sultanate of Oman’s ambitious strategy for developing a new generation of agro‑cities as part of the national Vision 2040 program. The initiative envisages the creation of three modern agricultural cities that will integrate traditional farming with advanced processing, logistics, and digital management technologies.
One of the first such centers is already taking shape in Saham, where 35 km² of land has been allocated for development. These innovative clusters will serve as comprehensive platforms encompassing the entire value chain — from agricultural production to export.
“Oman’s strategy in creating agro‑cities demonstrates a comprehensive approach to achieving food security and sustainable territorial development. The integration of agriculture with the processing industry and logistics creates a synergistic effect that can serve as a model for other countries in the region,”
— Vasil Mazitov, Chairman of IATD.
Strategic Meetings and Cooperation Prospects
As part of the business program, the IATD chairman held a series of productive meetings with leading representatives from Oman’s public and private sectors:
- Ms. Aisha Alrawahi (Muscat Municipality): discussion of potential adaptation of Russian practices in integrated territorial development.
- Mr. Ali Ihsan Mutlu (Renaissance Development) and Mr. Omar Ilhami (Deputy General Director, TMG): exploration of potential participation by Russian developers in agro‑city projects.
- Mr. Anil K. Nahar (Financial Advisor, Bahwan Enterprises LLC): analysis of investment models for financing agro‑industrial projects.
- Mr. Mike Fairhurst (European architectural community): discussion of trilateral cooperation opportunities.
Significance for IATD’s International Agenda
Participation in the Urban October forum enabled IATD to:
- establish its presence on a prominent international stage;
- study Oman’s unique experience in agro‑city development;
- identify new opportunities for cooperation in transferring Russian technologies and expertise in agro‑city construction.
“The Omani approach to creating agro‑cities is of significant interest for adaptation in other IATD member countries. We see potential for Russian companies to participate in these large‑scale projects, as well as opportunities for exchanging experience in precision farming technologies, processing, and logistics,”
— Vasily Mazitov, Chairman of IATD.
The visit underscored the growing synergy between Russian and Omani efforts in sustainable urban and agricultural development, opening new avenues for bilateral and multilateral collaboration.