Iran Press/Europe: Iran's Minister of Energy, Abbas Aliabadi, pointed out the great importance of Iran's "geo-economics" in this meeting and reminded that Iran has the second largest gas reserves in the world and high oil resources and shares water and land borders with 15 countries.
He stated that Iran connects an important part of the international transit corridors leading to the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus with high security and low cost.
Iran's Minister of Energy stated that Iran intends to engage in electricity trade and transit by using the difference in temperature and horizon by connecting its electricity network to all countries with a common land border.
He suggested that Russia's electricity network be connected to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia through Iran, and in this way, reducing investment in the production sector, it would help the environment and expand security in the region.
Institutionalizing world southern countries to play a role in the order based on equality
Iran's Minister of Energy said: After the Second World War, the United States of America, using the opportunities caused by the destruction of other world powers, started to create institutions in the political and economic scene, and through this, they advanced political goals and their economy along with an aggressive approach in the world and this practice continues until now.
He added: In recent years, some countries such as China, Iran, Russia, and India, by creating and participating in economic and political cooperation in the international arena, such as the cooperation of the BRICS group, aim to create similar institutions and play a role in the new world order based on They are equal.
Aliabadi continued: Today, the energy ministers of BRICS countries are aiming to benefit from energy diplomacy as an efficient tool to achieve their goals and maintain and increase their national interests in the field of foreign policy with a humane approach.
Joining new members and turning BRICS into an unparalleled economic and political power
Referring to the joining of new countries to the BRICS group from the beginning of 2024, the Minister of Energy of Iran said: The joining of the five countries of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia to this group is of strategic importance.
Aliabadi added: Considering the huge energy resources available and also the significant transit role of these countries in the political geography of the world, this alliance can turn BRICS into a unique economic and political power.
He reminded: BRICS group will account for about 32% of the world's economy in 2023, and this amount is very significant compared to the 30% share of the seven major industrialized countries of the world (G7).
Basic questions about BRICS
Iran's Minister of Energy continued: the basic question is whether this large economic group can organize its trade exchanges within the bloc with a single currency.
He further asked: Can BRICS achieve economic independence in the global arena and play a role as a new power in global equations?
Aliabadi added: The more specialized question is what is the role of energy in BRICS and to what extent can it be effective in realizing this lofty goal of this group?
Investing in electrical equipment with attractive formulas in BRICS
While referring to Iran's experience in paying energy subsidies and its consequences, Aliabadi said:
Iran has significant capabilities in electrical equipment production in the distribution, transmission, and production sectors, including high-efficiency thermal power plants, renewable farms, electric power plants, refineries, and petrochemicals.
He stated: Relying on this capability, Iran can have joint activities and cooperation with the BRICS countries in these sectors and also plan to attract capital with attractive formulas from the financial resources available in the BRICS countries.
Diversification of Iran's energy portfolio despite oppressive sanctions
Iran's Minister of Energy emphasized: We believe that ensuring everyone's access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for sustainable development is a priority and should be on the agenda of this group and other countries.
He said: The BRICS group should provide the most efficient ways to eradicate energy poverty and ensure universal access to energy, through the modernization of national energy systems, diversification of energy sources, and efficient use of all fuels and advanced technologies.
Aliabadi added: In this framework, Iran has diversified its energy production portfolio and intends to benefit from the BRICS group's capacity in this field.
He reminded: Despite the cruel sanctions, Iran has resolutely insisted on producing energy from nuclear power plants and is developing it.
US approach and other industrialized countries endanger energy security
The Minister of Energy of Iran also criticized the policies of the West in the field of sanctions and restrictions on countries and said: All countries, including the BRICS group, should express concern about the chosen approaches of industrialized countries, led by the United States of America, to the energy category and confront with it.
He added: "The continuation of this process weakens the freedom of action without discrimination in international energy markets, destabilizes global and regional value chains, and endangers global energy security."
Aliabadi warned: One of the inevitable results of continuing this practice is global warming and the destruction of many species of life.
Appreciating Russia's hosting of the meeting of energy ministers of the BRICS member countries, he said: I hope that this meeting will have fruitful results for the people of the BRICS member countries.
The meeting of energy ministers of the BRICS countries started on Thursday, September 26, 2024, with the opening of the Russian Energy Week events in Moscow.
Energy ministers and officials of BRICS member countries, including Russia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, were present at this meeting.
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