It is working with the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to draw up the plan.

'As part of the action plan sectors such as agriculture and fisheries water resources urban growth tourism and infrastructure were selected for detailed study' a senior MECA official said. The findings were discussed and analysed at a recent meeting between experts from the ministry and specialists from other concerned bodies.

'This meeting was held in association with SQU and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)' the official said.

'The ministry has roped in the services of SQU to draft a national strategy to mitigate effects of climate change. The experts' group is also examining relevance and functionality of each strategy according to internationally accepted practices. This step was also followed while analysing reports from the selected sectors' he said.

Special programmes plans and procedures will be identified for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Training and capacity-building to fight effects of climate change are also part of this he added.