Cañete in Tehran for First-Ever EU-Iran Sustainable Energy Forum

Following the European Union’s first ever project for nuclear safety cooperation with Iran last week, the Commission plans to strengthen energy and climate ties with Iran this weekend.

European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete is heading to Tehran on April 29 where he will kick off the first-ever Iran-EU Business Forum on Sustainable Energy.

The Forum will gather more than 50 European companies and business associations and some 40 Iranian energy companies to enable business relations and partnerships between Iran and the EU and lay the ground for further cooperation and joint partnerships in the energy sector, the Commission said, adding that it will provide a platform for investors and businesses to look into investment opportunities for clean energy, renewables, energy efficiency and energy conservation actions in Iran.

On 30 April, Cañete will open the High-Level Conference on Climate Change, which will bring together Iranian and European policymakers as well as representatives from International organisations. The aim is to review progress within the Paris Agreement and discuss the role of clean energy in the transition to a low-carbon economy and urgent actions needed to adapt to the consequences of climate change.

"Only 16 months after the historic nuclear deal was signed in January 2016, trade between the EU and Iran has risen by 79%, exports from Iran to the EU have increased by 450%, and we have established a dynamic energy partnership. Now we want to take this success story one step further,” Cañete said ahead of his visit.

"The energy sector will feature prominently in our future relations and we are committed to fully tap into its economic and social potential while contributing to achieve our climate commitments,” the Commissioner added.

Cañete will also meet with Vice-President of Iran and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, Vice-President of Iran and Head of Environmental Protection Organization Masoumeh Ebtekar, Minister of Petroleum Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian.

Following the conclusion and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the EU and Iran have resumed bilateral relations and launched cooperation in energy (Joint Statement on Energy and Joint Statement on Nuclear Energy Cooperation).