Azim Kalantari-Asl, the RIPI head, received the GECF Award for Long-Term Commitment to Natural Gas in 2024, during a ceremony attended by Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji.

Last week, Iran's Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trade Ahmad Asadzadeh said, “Given the great efforts and follow-up made by the Department for OPEC Affairs and Relations with Energy Communities to publicize Iran’s achievements amid sanctions, the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry has been selected for a GECF award on the sidelines of the the summit.”

GRI has a scientific-technical committee comprising the GECF member states’ representatives, which has started work before the institute’s official inauguration, mentioned the deputy, adding the committee has so far studied 30 plans submitted by the member states and picked five to implement.

Among the selected plans is one of the five presented by Iran under the title “Plan for Flare Gases Management and Collection”, said Asadzadeh, adding GRI has given the first priority to the Iranian plan.

Categories of GECF awards

The GECF Foundation and Advancement Award: This recognition is reserved for individuals who have played a vital role in establishing the GECF and/or achieving its strategic goals. Nominees for this award must be from GECF countries and hold positions at the level of ministers and above. Nominations for this category are not open to the public.

The Friend of GECF Award: This category honors individuals and institutions from non-GECF countries who have demonstrated exceptional cooperation with the forum, contributing significantly to the advancement of GECF objectives or the natural gas industry as a whole.

The GECF Award for Long-Term Commitment to Natural Gas: Celebrating lifetime achievements, this accolade recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions from both GECF and non-GECF countries who have demonstrated a remarkable track record of accomplishments in the natural gas sector throughout their careers.

Nominations for the Friend of GECF Award and the GECF Award for Long-Term Commitment to Natural Gas are open to the public. Both individuals and institutions from GECF or non-GECF countries are welcome to nominate worthy candidates.