Acting Petroleum Minister Hamid Bovard made the proposal at
the forum’s 28th ministerial meeting in Moscow on Monday, arguing that global
energy security depends on respect for national sovereignty, protection of
critical infrastructure and international cooperation.
Bovard said military interventions by the United States and
unilateral economic sanctions had undermined Iran’s legitimate interests while
weakening investor confidence and the predictability of global energy markets,
according to Shana, the Petroleum Ministry’s news service.
He urged GECF members to adapt their cooperation mechanisms
to changing geopolitical, economic and technological conditions, while
strengthening natural gas’s role in meeting future energy demand.
According to the forum’s Global Gas Outlook cited by Bovard,
worldwide natural gas demand is projected to rise 31% to more than 5.4 trillion
cubic metres by 2055, increasing its share of the global energy mix from about
23% to 26%.
Bovard proposed that the GECF secretariat work with member
countries to assess a roadmap targeting a 30% share, taking into account
long-term demand, investment requirements, economic feasibility and
environmental considerations.
He also called for a coordinated response to climate-related
regulations that could create uneven restrictions on energy trade and
investment, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Investment and technology cooperation
Meeting future global gas demand will require more than $12
trillion in investment by 2055, including about $11.6 trillion in upstream
projects and $735 billion in midstream infrastructure, Bovard said, citing the
forum’s outlook.
He called on member countries to explore joint financing
mechanisms, expand technology transfer and technical training, and pursue
collaborative projects across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments
of the gas industry.
Structured dialogue between producers and consumers was also
needed to improve demand security, reduce investment risks and maintain a
sustainable balance between the interests of suppliers and buyers, he said.
Bovard urged the forum to strengthen its capacity to
identify emerging risks, assess crisis scenarios and coordinate responses to
disruptions in global energy markets.
Natural gas would remain a key component of energy security
because of its reliability, operational flexibility and wide industrial
applications, as well as its role in complementing renewable energy, he said.
Iran highlights domestic gas capacity
Bovard said Iran, which he described as holding the world’s
second-largest proven natural gas reserves, had developed annual production
capacity of about 300 billion cubic metres despite decades of sanctions and the
effects of war.
Natural gas accounts for around 70% of Iran’s energy mix,
while the country’s gas distribution network covers about 95% of its
population, he said.
Iran is prepared to share its technical and industrial
experience with other GECF members and support joint projects through bilateral
and multilateral cooperation, Bovard added.
He said the Iranian government had made closer engagement
with international energy organizations, particularly the GECF, a priority
under its Seventh Development Plan.
The ministerial meeting, held as the forum marked the 25th
anniversary of its establishment, was an opportunity to strengthen strategic
cooperation and promote joint investment, Bovard said.