Forum focuses on investor relations and sustainable capital market practices

Muscat: The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference 2025 kicked off on Wednesday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Ahmed Jaafar Al Musalmi, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman.

The event is organised by Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), in partnership with MEIRA.

The conference serves as a leading regional platform bringing together an elite group of experts, capital market representatives, listed companies, investment institutions, and regulatory authorities to exchange knowledge, shape the future of investor relations in the Middle East, and foster collaboration among all stakeholders.

The two-day event attracts over 900 participants, including more than 150 institutional investors and 130 listed issuers, along with policymakers, regulators, and capital market professionals from across the region and around the globe. Its agenda reflected the conference’s position as the region’s foremost gathering dedicated to advancing investor relations and sustainable capital market practices.

Organising the conference embodies MSX’s commitment to supporting MEIRA’s vision of strengthening transparency and corporate governance as pillars for empowering issuers and investors, enhancing dialogue and engagement between markets, regulators, and stakeholders, and promoting best practices in investor relations to build a sustainable investment ecosystem aligned with global standards.

The first day of the conference featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and specialised workshops addressing the future of capital markets, investor engagement, and sustainability practices across the region. Regional stock exchange CEOs examined opportunities and challenges facing GCC markets amid global economic shifts, while another panel focused on Oman Vision 2040 and the role of investor relations in highlighting the country’s diversification strategy and emerging investment prospects. A third discussion emphasized sustainability and governance in capital markets, exploring ESG standards, disclosure requirements, and best practices for enhancing transparency and accountability in listed companies.

The first day workshops provided practical training on climate disclosure and sustainability reporting, the strategic use of artificial intelligence in investor relations, and effective crisis management approaches to maintain investor confidence during financial or reputational challenges.

As the conference continues into its second day on 25 September, the agenda will turn its focus to long-term investment strategies, governance, and capital market development. Panel discussions will highlight the role of investor relations in building trust with sovereign wealth funds and aligning with their long-term investment requirements, explore how investor relations can support corporate governance excellence, and examine the intersection of governance, liquidity, and corporate growth across regional markets.

Complementing the panels, Day 2 workshops will address a range of specialized topics.

Hosting MEIRA 2025 for the first time reflects growing international confidence in the Sultanate of Oman’s leadership role in shaping the future of regional capital markets. It also underscores the increasing importance of investor relations as a strategic function in fostering transparency, sustainability, and competitiveness in financial markets.