Iman Rahmati, the Director of Electricity Market Studies and Monitoring at Iran Grid Management Company, was among the Islamic Republic of Iran’s representatives at the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting, which took place in Russia in early October. Following the event, he shared insights about the outcomes of this event.
1. What was the primary focus of this trip to Russia?
Four meetings were held in Moscow at the beginning of October:
a. The third meeting of senior energy officials
b. BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting
c. ERCP Energy Research Cooperation Platform
d. BRICS Youth Energy Summit
I attended the first two meetings. Unfortunately, there were no representatives from Iran to take part in the ERCP and Youth summit sessions.
2. Which countries and at what official level did take part in the events?
The meeting of senior experts included mid-level energy managers from BRICS member countries. During the ministerial meeting, Brazil was represented by its ambassador, as the Energy Minister was absent due to wildfires in Brazil. From the remaining countries ministers or deputy ministers were present, with India and Ethiopia attending virtually. Ministers from Russia, Iran, South Africa, and Egypt participated, with Egypt represented by its Ministers of Electricity and Renewable Energy, as well as Petroleum and Minerals.
3. How did this meeting differ from previous ones?
This meeting had a different agenda and level of engagement compared to the previous meetings, focusing largely on finalizing the outcomes of joint efforts during the last 6 months.
4. What were the key outcomes of the meeting? The summit finalized the "Just in Energy Transition" report, the product of several months of collaboration. However, India's contribution to the report is expected to be completed in the next month. Additionally, despite diplomatic challenges, the BRICS Energy Ministers’ commuinqué, considered as a high-level document, was approved by all participating countries.
In addition to the public sessions, Iran's Energy Minister held bilateral meetings with counterparts from China, Russia, South Africa, and Pakistan, where various matters were agreed on. The specifics of these agreements are expected to be announced by official authorities.
6. What are BRICS' future plans? Increasing cooperation with international organizations is a priority for BRICS members. For example, the potential signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ERCP (BRICS' research arm) and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has been pursued. Iran has supported this memorandum in coordination with the Ministry of Oil, though India's opposition has delayed its finalization.
Another key area is participation in ERCP research committees. Given Iran’s expertise and the need for technological advancements in the energy sector, the importance of Iran's active participation in these committees can not be overstated and Iran should select among the existing areas based on its national interest and appoint its representatives in each of them.