The video message recorded and played to honor Zangeneh’s final attendance at the OPEC ministerial meetings during the 181st Ordinary Meeting of the OPEC Conference held via video conference on Thursday.

OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, said in the video:

“At this historic moment, I would like to take a few minutes of your time to reflect with deep appreciation and a touch of nostalgia on the historic contributions of his Excellency, Bijan Zangeneh of the Islamic Republic of Iran to OPEC during his long and illustrious career.

Indeed, we have a debt of gratitude to pay for his many years of dedicated service of excellence to this organization as head of the Islamic Republic of Iran's delegation to OPEC.

During his tenure as minister of energy from 1988 to 1997, and then as minister of petroleum from 1997 to 2005, and from 2013 to present, he has served his country and this organization with distinction and has displayed both strong leadership, diplomatic expertise, and a truly dignified character. He's a prime example of decency and the embodiment of integrity.

Excellency, Zangeneh, as the longest serving head of delegation to OPEC, you are held in high-esteem amongst your industry peers, and here at the OPEC secretariat. Your Excellency’s historical wealth of knowledge and industry expertise have greatly impacted and enriched the many ministerial meetings, OPEC seminars and industry events in which you have participated.

As the doyen of both the OPEC conference and the OPEC non-OPEC ministerial meetings, Your Excellency’s dignified leadership and unflappable presence have provided a significant stabilizing influence, especially in the most challenging of times over the past decades.

I assure you our successes would not have been what they are without the input of your dedication, sense of teamwork and diplomatic astuteness. We all drank from your reservoir of knowledge and fountain of wisdom.

More recently, OPEC has benefited immensely from your leadership and contributions that help transform the OPEC-non-OPEC declaration of cooperation from a noble vision to a highly effective framework for global energy cooperation.

More recently, OPEC has benefited immensely from your leadership and contributions that help transform the OPEC-non-OPEC declaration of cooperation from a noble vision to a highly effective framework for global energy cooperation. This landmark cooperation continues to have a profound impact on the global oil industry, helping it successfully navigate and overcome major global, such as the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

Now, Excellency, as we prepare to commemorate the 60th anniversary of OPEC in September of 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq, I am especially appreciative of the Islamic Republic of Iran's historical contributions, as a founding member of OPEC, and a steadfast commitment to the founding principles of this organization.

Under your Excellency’s able guidance, The Iranian delegation has played a leading role in OPEC affairs over the years, often being recognized for creativity in seeking compromise and finding viable solutions amongst his fellow member countries. On behalf of OPEC, Excellency, we wish you many blessings of long life, good health contentment and continuous successes in all of your future endeavors.”

Meanwhile, Oman’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, who spoke in the video message, said:

“My dear friend, colleague, Mr. Zangeneh, this is supposed to be a sad day for many of us, but I'm choosing to make it a celebration for you.

I want to celebrate really your contribution to our industry, to your career, to your contribution to your country. And most of all, as far as I'm concerned, your contribution to my own development.

I started walking with you when I was a rookie, a new minister in town and, you have never seized to support me. And, I've taken our discussion as an advice, I've taken our negotiation as an advice and, believe me, throughout the almost quarter of a century that we’ve known each other, you have advised me, you have contributed to my development.

I sincerely thank you. And I want to wish you a fantastic retirement where you are going to enjoy the time of your life. This is the beginning of relaxation. This is your own time for the first time. And I think you should celebrate on what you have achieved.
And you have contributed not only to this organization, OPEC, that have been coming in and out as a guest, but to many of us who rely on exporting our crude oil to the market.

And…

Also, a part of this video message was allocated to Zangeneh’s speech delivered in OPEC meetings and seminars. The video narrator said Bijan Zangeneh is ending his tenure as the petroleum minister as it is the end of a very successful period in Iran’s energy. However, the positive heritage Zangeneh has left for Iran and OPEC will continue for a lone time. Moreover, the narrator noted, “Iran hosted many key OPEC events. Chief among them was the 135th meeting of the OPEC conference, which was held in the ancient city of Isfahan on March 16th, 2005.”