Oman, Japan sign deal to tackle environmental issues

The agreement seeks to strengthen the implementation of international environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement. File
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Updated 14 May 2025
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Oman, Japan sign deal to tackle environmental issues

RIYADH: Oman’s Environment Authority and Japan’s Ministry of the Environment have signed a bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation on environmental issues and advancing sustainable development, according to the Oman News Agency.

The agreement seeks to strengthen the implementation of international environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement, and lays the groundwork for a collaborative framework based on equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit.

To combat climate change, Oman has launched a national plan aiming for zero-carbon neutrality by 2050. The strategy includes a comprehensive transition of the energy sector toward renewable sources, enhanced energy efficiency, and significant emission reductions across all sectors.

The pact was signed by Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri, chairman of Oman’s Environment Authority, and Matsuzawa Yutaka, vice-minister for Global Environmental Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The signing ceremony was attended by Japan’s Ambassador to Oman Kiyoshi Serizawa.

Key areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include climate change mitigation and adaptation, waste management, biodiversity conservation through nature-based solutions, and environmental monitoring.

The two nations also agreed to collaborate on training programs, expert exchanges, scientific research, and joint initiatives. The partnership will promote knowledge sharing and foster dialogue on both current and emerging environmental challenges.


Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs

Updated 27 December 2025
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Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs

  • Spot silver touched an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits
  • Spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, while palladium surged 14 percent to $1,927.81, its highest level in over 3 years

Silver breached the $77 mark for the first time on Friday, while gold and platinum hit record highs, buoyed by expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical tensions that fueled safe-haven demand.

Spot silver jumped 7.5% to $77.30 per ounce, as of 1:53 p.m. ET (1853 GMT), after touching an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits, its designation ‌as a US ‌critical mineral, and strong investment inflows.

Spot gold ‌was ⁠up ​1.2% at $4,531.41 ‌per ounce, after hitting a record $4,549.71 earlier. US gold futures for February delivery settled 1.1% higher at $4,552.70.

“Expectations for further Fed easing in 2026, a weak dollar and heightened geopolitical tensions are driving volatility in thin markets. While there is some risk of profit-taking before the year-end, the trend remains strong,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist ⁠at Zaner Metals.

Markets are anticipating two rate cuts in 2026, with the first likely ‌around mid-year amid speculation that US President Donald ‍Trump could name a dovish ‍Fed chair, reinforcing expectations for a more accommodative monetary stance.

The US ‍dollar index was on track for a weekly decline, enhancing the appeal of dollar-priced gold for overseas buyers.

On the geopolitical front, the US carried out airstrikes against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria, Trump said on Thursday.

“$80 in ​silver is within reach by year-end. For gold, the next objective is $4,686.61, with $5,000 likely in the first half of next ⁠year,” Grant added.

Gold remains poised for its strongest annual gain since 1979, underpinned by Fed policy easing, central bank purchases, ETF inflows, and ongoing de-dollarization trends.

On the physical demand side, gold discounts in India widened to their highest in more than six months this week as a relentless price rally curbed retail buying, while discounts in China narrowed sharply from last week’s five-year highs.

Elsewhere, spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, having earlier hit a record high of $2,454.12 while palladium surged 14% to $1,927.81, its highest level in more than three years.

All precious ‌metals logged weekly gains, with platinum recording its strongest weekly rise on record.