Pezeshkian at GECF summit: US sanctions and economic terrorism endanger energy market stability
Tehran - BORNA - Addressing the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow, Pezeshkian said geopolitical developments and unilateral actions pose serious challenges to global energy security, and called for expanded strategic and technical cooperation among member states.
He announced that Iran, with an annual natural gas production capacity of 280 billion cubic meters, is ready to play a more active role in developing joint investments, expanding gas trade and strengthening global energy security.
The president described unilateral sanctions and US military interventions in the region as factors driving instability in energy markets, and called for effective action against measures that threaten the stability of the global gas market. He also stressed the GECF's capacity to develop multilateral diplomacy, exchange experience and coordinate member states' policies.
Pezeshkian listed joint investment in the natural gas value chain, technology upgrading, productivity gains and expansion of regional and global gas trade as priorities for cooperation among forum members, and stressed Iran's readiness to expand cooperation with foreign investors and take a more active part in upstream and downstream gas projects.
The full text of the president's speech:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Your Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin,
President of the Russian Federation,
At the outset, while expressing my pleasure at being in the beautiful and historic city of Moscow, I sincerely thank the friendly nation and government of the Russian Federation, and especially Your Excellency, for hosting this important summit. I also appreciate the distinguished Secretary-General and the Secretariat for their continuous efforts to advance the activities of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
I take this opportunity to honor the memory of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei (may God have mercy on him), who played a significant role in strengthening the Gas Exporting Countries Forum through his initiative and support.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Heads of Delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum is being held at a time when geopolitical developments have confronted global energy security with serious challenges.
In this context, the military aggression of the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at two junctures and in the middle of political negotiations, was one of the regrettable and dangerous events against global security, which, by destroying our country's energy facilities and disrupting the energy transfer process, has endangered energy security and the global economy.
I must also emphasize that the imposition of unilateral sanctions against countries and economic terrorism in the form of a naval and air blockade by the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and pressure on other countries to comply with this blockade, are among other illegal actions that have seriously jeopardized the stability of energy markets and must be condemned and effectively confronted by the world's major energy suppliers. Today, US military interventions in the Persian Gulf region do not only affect regional actors; by creating serious shocks, they disrupt the process of energy pricing, supply and transfer and endanger economic growth worldwide.
Excellencies,
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum, over more than two decades of activity, has now become a symbol of multilateral gas diplomacy and a platform for dialogue, exchange of experience and strengthening cooperation among member states, and can play an effective role in resolving the world's energy problems and bottlenecks.
In this regard, addressing the provisions of the forum's statute and the statements of its summits — particularly in developing technologies and sustainable environmental management methods, developing regional and global gas markets, maximizing the role of natural gas resources in the value chain, and combating energy poverty — is of special importance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Developments in the global energy market require member states to expand their cooperation in two areas: 'strategic governance and management' and 'technical-engineering operations.' In the strategic area, the main focus should be on market stability and how to increase the volume of natural gas trade at regional and global levels.
In the technical and engineering area, the fundamental issue for forum members is developing joint investments in the gas value chain, from production to processing, transmission and consumption. At the same time, upgrading technological capacities to increase productivity and reduce the environmental effects of gas production and consumption must be at the center of joint cooperation.
In this regard, it is essential that existing capacities in member states be converted into operational projects and shared interests, and that effective implementation of the forum's long-term strategy, in line with market developments and the long-term horizon of supply and demand, can provide a clear path for aligning members' priorities and strengthening the forum's role in the future of global energy.
Excellencies,
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the founding members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the world's second holder of proven natural gas reserves, announces its readiness to play a more active role in advancing multilateral diplomacy, exchanging knowledge and experience, and developing investment opportunities in gas infrastructure within the framework of the forum.
Iran, with its strategic position at the heart of the world's most important energy corridors, has an inherent capacity to significantly enhance global energy resilience. In addition, the existing capacities in Iran's gas industry have created suitable grounds for cooperation by the private sectors of forum member states in the upstream and downstream natural gas sector and in its trade. Foreign investors can, without concern, use the incentives and facilities offered in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector and benefit from Iran's unique capacities within the framework of shared interests.
I must emphasize that, despite years of unilateral sanctions, we have been able, relying on domestic capability, to raise Iran's natural gas production capacity to 280 billion cubic meters and still maintain the rank of the world's third-largest natural gas producer.
In the area of natural gas consumption, too, Iran is one of the world's leading countries with a 70 percent share in its energy mix, and 95 percent of Iran's population is now covered by the nationwide natural gas grid.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We believe that through constructive cooperation we can help achieve supply and demand security, fair valuation of natural gas and its promotion in the world energy mix, while observing environmental considerations. In this regard, the active participation of the oil and energy ministers of member and observer states, the forum's Secretary-General and Secretariat staff, and constructive cooperation among them is of great importance.
In conclusion, I once again thank the government and nation of the Russian Federation for their warm hospitality and worthy hosting, and I wish success in realizing the forum's goals. Thank you for your attention."
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