Ahead of 26th meeting of Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Iran
Tehran calls on GECF members to enhance synergy
Iranian Minister of Oil Mohsen Paknejad highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among member states of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) ahead of the group’s 26th ministerial meeting.
He pointed out that the presence of energy and oil ministers from the GECF in Tehran highlights Iran’s resilience, stability, and high level of security under current conditions.
He also maintained that Iran, with its enormous oil and gas reserves, has consistently been a major global energy player, Shana reported.
“Despite facing relentless unilateral sanctions from the United States in recent years, Iran has maintained its role, status, and credibility in the global energy sector through robust diplomacy and unique strategic approaches. This credibility is particularly significant as global demand for reliable and sustainable energy resources continues to rise.”
Paknejad also stressed that as the world transitions from fossil fuels to cleaner energy, natural gas — with lower emissions compared to oil and coal — plays a pivotal role in this shift. “Natural gas, as a clean and dependable energy source, is a strategic asset for GECF members,” he added.
The Iranian official called on GECF members, as key architects of this energy shift, to collaborate by creating regional gas hubs, investing jointly, and transferring technology and expertise.
He reaffirmed Iran’s role as a founding member of the GECF, committed to proposing initiatives, aligning with other members, and defending the shared interests of gas-exporting countries.
“Iran’s energy policy, especially in the gas sector, centers on expanding economic and political cooperation, fostering mutual interdependence, and promoting natural gas as a clean and secure energy source,” Paknejad emphasized.
He noted that despite facing internal challenges and unilateral US sanctions, Iran has remained committed to exporting gas to countries such as Turkey and Iraq without leveraging it for political purposes, consistently viewing its gas resources as tools for enhancing regional and global cooperation.
The minister further stated that the establishment of organizations like OPEC and GECF is rooted in goals beyond market regulation, including increasing synergy and depoliticizing energy.
The 26th meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum will commence on Friday in Tehran with the participation of expert delegations.
The ministerial session of the forum will follow on Sunday, December 9, with Iran’s Oil Minister chairing the meeting.
Paknejad announced that the 26th GECF Ministerial Meeting in Tehran will primarily focus on topics such as gas trade and issues related to boosting gas production among member states.
He noted that among the 12 main GECF members, representatives from around six countries will attend at the ministerial level, while the others will participate at the deputy minister level.
Paknejad emphasized that the main members of the GECF collectively hold the world’s largest gas reserves, with the eight observer members and one guest member also possessing significant gas resources.