Speaking at the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF, held in Doha on Thursday, Paknejad urged the forum to transform into a more structured and influential body—proposing its evolution into the “Organization of Gas Exporting Countries” (OGEC) to better address emerging energy and policy challenges.

Paknejad began his address by expressing gratitude to Qatar for its hospitality and organization of the meeting, held in a period he described as “a sensitive time for peace and energy security.”

He condemned recent acts of aggression by the “Zionist Israeli regime,” referencing attacks on Iranian territory and a similar assault on Qatar, and called on GECF member states to jointly denounce such actions as threats to regional stability and disruptions to global energy markets.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran expects all GECF member countries, as members of one family, to condemn the Zionist regime’s aggressions against two of its members,” Paknejad said. “These acts pose both short- and long-term consequences for global order and market stability.”

Turning to the global energy outlook, the minister emphasized the growing importance of natural gas in ensuring energy security and sustainable development. Citing GECF Secretariat projections, he said global gas demand is expected to grow by 32 percent by 2050, raising its share in the global energy mix from 23 to 26 percent.

Iran, he said, supports a collective goal of reaching a 30 percent share of natural gas in the global mix by 2050, reflecting the Forum’s shared responsibility as holder of 70 percent of the world’s proven reserves.

Paknejad also warned of the growing policy pressures that seek to phase out fossil fuels, noting that such movements could undermine global investment in clean gas technologies and jeopardize energy access for developing nations. He reaffirmed that natural gas must be part of the solution to the twin challenges of energy supply and climate change.

He echoed themes from the 7th GECF Summit Declaration in Algiers (March 2024), underscoring the Forum’s continued focus on combating energy poverty, supporting sustainable development, and investing in cleaner technologies for gas production.

The Iranian minister strongly criticized unilateral sanctions imposed on resource-rich countries, describing them as “disruptions that undermine market stability and raise supply costs.” Despite facing intensified sanctions, Paknejad said Iran continues to expand its gas production and efficiency programs through domestic innovation and international collaboration.

He invited GECF members to invest and cooperate in Iran’s natural gas projects, pledging Tehran’s readiness for “any form of joint collaboration.”

Looking ahead, Paknejad proposed that the GECF establish a high-level dialogue platform between gas producers and consumers to stabilize supply and demand in global markets. To support this, he suggested a structural reorganization of the Forum to better serve members’ policy and technical needs — possibly evolving into the Organization of Gas Exporting Countries (OGEC).

He concluded by thanking GECF Secretary General Mohamed Hamel for his leadership and service and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment as a founding member to strengthening cooperation within the Forum.

“Through solidarity, dialogue, and cooperation, the GECF can play a key role in shaping global energy market developments,” Paknejad said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to strengthen its active and constructive participation in achieving the GECF’s common objectives.”