Speaking on Monday at the 11th meeting of the Economic Council, he stated, "The imbalance in the power sector has inflicted a significant blow on production, one that cannot be overlooked." 

Highlighting the current necessity for cooperatives to play an active role in Iran's industry, agriculture, and economy, Aref said: "Unfortunately, in recent decades, governments have favored centralization over empowering cooperatives, effectively sidelining them. However, the 14th administration’s primary strategy is to reintroduce public participation in the economy and delegate responsibilities to cooperatives."

He further noted, "As part of a plan, we must leverage the role of cooperatives in advancing the Seventh Development Program. This is both a necessity for the government and a prerequisite for national development. Had cooperatives been utilized effectively in previous programs, the country’s development indicators would be in better shape. The government firmly believes that it should not undertake tasks that the private sector is capable of handling, and we are working to address this issue promptly."

Aref stressed that shifting toward cooperatives is not merely a policy preference but an essential step that should have been taken decades ago. He added, "We are prepared to support cooperatives in any legal capacity they are allowed to operate, but cooperatives must also avoid viewing the government as a charitable entity. They should function as true institutions, NGOs, and genuine economic enterprises."

Reiterating the need for swift action to resolve power imbalances, Aref called for a focus on building power plants, adopting advanced technologies, and supporting domestic production.

"The imbalance in the power sector has severely impacted production. To overcome this, we must prioritize the construction of power plants, the transfer of advanced technologies, and the promotion of domestic industries," he concluded.