Iran nominates candidate for GECF head

Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh nominated Mohammad-Hossein Adeli as candidate for the post the post of Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). “The necessary measures for nominating Iran’s candidate for GECF secretary-general is under way,” Zanganeh said. He added that the 15th ministerial meeting of GECF to be held in Tehran in November is a routine meeting. Zanganeh said the GECF will pick a secretary-general for two years. Iran’s candidate will to vie with candidates nominated by Libya and Russia for the top post. Adeli, a former governor of Central Bank of Iran, served as Iran’s ambassador to Britain, Japan and Canada. He was deputy foreign minister for economic affairs for years. GECF’s secretary general is elected for a two year period and his/her term could be extended for another two years. Leonid Bokhanovskiy is the first Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum who was appointed in this position by the 9th Ministerial Meeting (Doha, Qatar, 9th December 2009) for the period of 2010-2011. Furthermore Bokhanovskiy was re-elected in 2011 for another two year term. Secretary General is the chief officer in the Secretariat and is the legally authorized representative of the Forum. In this capacity, he has the authority to administer the affairs of the Forum in accordance with directions of the Executive Board and the GECF Statute, and is liable and accountable to the Executive Board and the Ministerial Meeting. The Secretary General ensures that the Budget and the Programs of Work of the Forum are complied with; organizes and administers the work of the Forum; prepares reports for submission to Executive Board meetings. The Secretary General is assisted in the discharge of his duties by a team of officers and staff including three Department Heads, Head of the Office of the Secretary General, the Legal Officer, the Public Relations Officer and the Internal Auditor.