Speaking at Bovard’s inauguration ceremony on Tuesday,
October 6, Aref said the oil industry should play a central role in Iran’s
development plans as a key sector of the economy.
He praised former Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad for his
performance over the past two years, saying he had supported other government
sectors even when doing so came at the expense of the Petroleum Ministry’s own
interests.
Praise for the Oil Industry’s Crisis Response
Aref also commended Paknejad and other oil industry managers
for their efforts during the country’s two recent wars, saying their commitment
and presence during difficult circumstances contributed to maintaining the
industry’s operations.
He described the transition at the ministry as an internal
change within the oil industry’s own management ranks, noting that both
Paknejad and Bovard are experienced figures from the sector.
Aref said Paknejad had delivered strong performance as petroleum
minister and had maintained a comprehensive view of national issues. He added
that the Petroleum Ministry had provided significant financial support to the
government when funding for subsidies and healthcare came under pressure.
According to Aref, the ministry provided the government with
50 trillion rials within five days to help meet its financial needs.
He also said Paknejad had previously considered resigning
but eventually remained in office before later insisting on his departure.
President Masoud Pezeshkian ultimately accepted his resignation.
Management Changes Should Not Disrupt Operations
Aref said the government had deliberately chosen an acting
minister from within the Petroleum Ministry to ensure continuity.
He praised Bovard for accepting the responsibility, noting
that Bovard had initially been reluctant to take the position because he did
not want his appointment to be interpreted as a slight toward Paknejad.
“Management changes should not damage the performance of
ministries or government institutions,” Aref said, adding that while the
government was satisfied with the Petroleum Ministry’s performance, further
improvement was expected.
He said every management change could create an opportunity
for a significant improvement in performance and expressed confidence that Bovard’s
experience and knowledge of the ministry would help drive such progress.
Technology and Human Capital in Focus
Aref also called on the Petroleum Ministry to take a leading
role in implementing 117 technology projects approved in the oil, gas and
petrochemical sectors under a special technology-development program.
He urged Bovard to strengthen the ministry’s links with
universities and expand efforts to train skilled personnel, arguing that modern
conflicts increasingly depend on technological capabilities.
Aref also stressed that the reconstruction of oil, gas and
petrochemical facilities damaged during the recent conflicts should be
accompanied by modernization and upgrading.
He said the government was preparing a two-year plan
covering both favorable and adverse scenarios and called on the Petroleum
Ministry to develop a similar framework.
Aref further urged the ministry to maintain momentum on
development programs, including pressure-enhancement projects and the
development of shared oil and gas fields, adding that the government would
support the ministry in accelerating these efforts.