Khazaei said the oil industry’s workforce has consistently demonstrated professionalism, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility, describing it as a distinguishing strength of the ministry.

She pointed to the industry’s performance during the recent war, noting that operations continued without disruption in both the southern operational regions and the ministry’s headquarters in Tehran, as employees and managers worked together to sustain the sector’s activities.

Speaking about the newly launched Human Resources Management Center, Khazaei said it will foster new forms of collaboration, support forward-looking research and establish a clear institutional framework to create lasting value for the future of Iran’s oil industry.

She said global developments—including war, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies—are reshaping the role of human capital, adding that the center should work alongside other institutions to monitor international trends and develop practical solutions that address the evolving needs of both the industry and its workforce.

Khazaei also emphasized that the research and reports produced by the Institute for International Energy Studies provide a credible scientific foundation, expressing confidence that the center’s work will generate meaningful benefits for employees, managers, policymakers and the broader oil sector.

She said the Human Resources Management Center should serve as a leading platform for strategic thinking on workforce development by engaging experts and encouraging collaboration among industry leaders to strengthen human capital.

Khazaei stressed the need for effective governance in human capital management, calling for stronger research, planning and institutional cooperation to build a more robust framework for workforce governance across the oil industry.

She expressed hope that the new center will mark a turning point in human capital governance by improving decision-making, recruitment and talent development through modern management tools and research, ultimately supporting greater organizational excellence.