The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) has launched a high-level official mission to the Republic of Uzbekistan, led by Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dhoyani, Chairman of the NRAA. The bilateral initiative focuses on expanding archival
cooperation, exchanging rare historical manuscripts, and deploying advanced document restoration technologies between Muscat and Tashkent.
The mission builds on the enduring diplomatic and cultural links between the Sultanate of Oman and Central Asian nations along the historic Silk Road, activating executive memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to safeguard rare intellectual heritage.
Broadening Academic Horizons: The Abu Rayhan Biruni Institute
During the visit, the Omani delegation held extensive working sessions with leadership at the Abu Rayhan Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies in Tashkent, alongside national archival directorates in Samarkand. Discussions centered on mutual
access to microfilmed collections, manuscript preservation standards, and joint historical publishing initiatives.
Both sides agreed on operational mechanisms to digitize rare treatises on Islamic astronomy, maritime cartography, jurisprudence, and trade history connecting the Gulf with Central Asia across medieval and early modern eras.
Advanced Digital Archiving & Scientific Research
The collaborative agenda prioritizes high-resolution digitization, paper conservation laboratories, and automated cataloging systems. Uzbek archival specialists and Omani conservators will conduct joint workshops focusing on modern restoration chemistry,
microfilm retrieval, and digital indexing for academic repositories.
