In a video message on Wednesday to the Opening Session of the 9th OPEC International Seminar, Vienna, Paknejad expressed regret that he could not attend in person due to current unfavorable conditions.

The following is the full text of the speech by Paknejad:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a great honor and pleasure for me to open the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, which, due to the unfortunate current circumstances, I could not join you in person, but address you instead through video conference.

This important Seminar, being held under the theme “Charting Pathways Together: The Future of Global Energy”, intends to address the serious challenges facing the global path towards a secure energy future. But, closer to our heart, in the Middle East, the long-standing and still enduring cradle of energy for the world, blatant and naked war-mongering by the Zionist regime of Israel and US has posed urgent threats to an already precarious energy situation.

Given the limited time available to our gathering, and also in light of the fact that the distinguished audience are well aware of the human and material damages imposed on us, I will not delve into the details of the treacherous rationale, objectives, and the process of the 12-day Israeli military aggression. Just for your quick reference, this aggression caused more than 5000 injured and about 1000 killed among them a lot of innocent women and children, as well as university energy professors and their families.

And needless to say, this brutal military aggression against the territorial integrity of Iran, a key and long-standing energy supplier to the world, was in blatant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Worse still, it took place amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian peaceful nuclear program.   

Dear Colleagues,

Turning to the theme of the Seminar, let me draw your kind attention to an important principle lying at the very foundation of the energy industry, specially oil industry, in our deeply interconnected world; this vital and growing industry needs peace to serve its mission of promoting prosperity at national, regional and global levels; and to promote cooperation and development in a fast-changing and ever-complicating world. History tells us safe and secure supply of energy sources, that our Organization has emphasized on them for almost 65 years and the Declaration of Cooperation since it was formed at the end of 2016, rests on the foundation of peace and friendly, cooperative relations between states.

Any state of uncertainty, whatever the cause; an aggression or war, that leads to the disruption of the smooth flow of oil and gas resources to international markets imposes complicating uncertainties on energy producers and subjecting national economies to hardships, even if to various degrees.

Looking at the big picture and the range of quite serious challenges we – the OPEC members as well as the OPEC Plus countries - face in charting the paths ahead of us, I believe we all need to take a principled stand against the resort to and use of war as a tool of pursuing political objectives will not benefit anyone.

It is our firm belief that our continued commitment to and effective practical support of the principles of unity, stability, and respect for sovereign rights of states, as enshrined in the “OPEC Statute” and “the Declaration of Cooperation”, constitute the essential foundations for advancing on a secure path towards the energy future. We need to remind these principles to each other, here at this Seminar and in all our interactions.

Distinguished Colleagues,

To conclude my opening remarks, let me also reiterate that the Islamic Republic of Iran, a founding member of OPEC in 1960, remains fully committed to the common ideals and objectives of the Organization and welcomes this opportunity for dialogue. Our country is a land of culture and civilization, a land with friendship at its heart, and one, where we look to build bridges across the world.

What I hope the next two days of this Seminar, can bring is further clarity and realism about our energy futures. Including, the need for more investment across all energies, the need to embrace all technologies to improve efficiencies and help reduce emissions and, the need to understand the energy realities of nations across the world, and the fact that there are multiple future energy pathways.

I wish you a very lively and successful session with a constructive outcome; sending out a powerful message, at this critical juncture, in defense of the lofty principles of sovereignty, stability, and peace, and geared to the promotion of our shared interests across the region and across the globe.

I would like to thank everyone involved in putting together this global-looking Seminar. The OPEC Secretariat has done an amazing job. I am sure we will all benefit from listening to so many distinguished and high-level speakers.

 I wish everyone a successful two days.

Thank You.