Hossein Kazempour Ardebili facts for kids

Hossein Kazempour Ardebili (Persian: حسین کاظم‌پور اردبیلی) was an important Iranian diplomat and politician. He was born in 1952 and passed away on May 16, 2020. He was best known for being Iran's representative to OPEC, which is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. He held this role for many years, from 1995 to 2008, and again from 2013 until his death.

Before his work with OPEC, he also served as Iran's commerce minister. He was also a deputy foreign minister and deputy oil minister in the 1980s. From 1990 to 1994, he was the Iranian ambassador to Japan. News organizations like Bloomberg News called him a "super negotiator" for OPEC. They said he always worked hard to protect Iran's oil interests, even during tough times like wars and when other countries placed sanctions on Iran.

Early Life and Education

Hossein Kazempour Ardebili was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1952. He studied business administration at what is now the Allameh Tabataba'i University, earning his bachelor's degree in 1974. Later, he went to the Oklahoma State University in the United States, where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This was before the Iranian Revolution began.

A Career in Public Service

While studying in the U.S., Hossein Kazempour Ardebili worked as a pizza delivery person to help pay for his education. After returning to Iran, he began his long career in government.

Early Government Roles

In 1981, he became Iran's Commerce Minister under Prime Minister Mohammad-Ali Rajai. During this time, he was injured in a bomb attack. He later shared that the attack made it hard for him to walk and caused some hearing loss, requiring him to get treatment in Switzerland.

During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Iran faced international isolation. He tried to convince Western governments to sell weapons to Iran, but he was not successful. He even had to sell Iranian oil to India at a very low price. In the 1980s, he also served as a deputy foreign minister and deputy oil minister.

Ambassador to Japan

From March 1990 to December 1994, he served as the Iranian ambassador to Japan. As an ambassador, he represented Iran in Japan. During his time there, he faced questions about certain exports. However, because he was a diplomat, he had special protection called diplomatic immunity, which means he could not be charged in that country.

Leading Iran at OPEC

After his time in Japan, he became an adviser to the foreign minister. Then, in 1995, he was appointed as Iran's main representative to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). He held this important position until 2008. OPEC is a group of major oil-producing countries that work together to manage the global oil supply and prices.

From 1996 to 1999, he was the chairman of OPEC's Board of Governors. He played a key role in making deals, like one in the late 1990s with Saudi Arabia to reduce oil production after a price war. In 2000, Iran suggested him to become OPEC's Secretary General, but another candidate from Venezuela was chosen instead. By 2005, he was also a board member of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).

He returned to his role as Iran's top representative to OPEC in 2013 and served until his death in 2020. He was also an adviser to the Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh. He often attended OPEC meetings on the minister's behalf. He helped Iran improve its position in OPEC talks and played a part in the recovery of its oil industry. This happened after international sanctions were lifted following the nuclear deal in 2015. When the U.S. president Donald Trump later pulled out of this deal and put sanctions back on Iran, Mr. Kazempour Ardebili would sometimes comment on how global events affected oil prices.

Passing Away

On March 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili missed an important OPEC meeting. He stayed home because he had existing heart problems, which put him at higher risk if he traveled. In early May, he was hospitalized in Tehran due to a brain haemorrhage and fell into a coma. He passed away on May 16, 2020, at the hospital.

His funeral was held on May 17 in Tehran. Important officials, including Oil Minister Zangeneh and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, attended the ceremony. A few days later, OPEC headquarters held a special ceremony to remember him.

His Legacy

Many people recognized Hossein Kazempour Ardebili's skills and dedication. Bloomberg News described him as an "ultimate OPEC negotiator" who "defended Iran's oil interests through war and sanctions." They also called him "a constant" in the world of oil diplomacy and a "stubborn negotiator" in OPEC meetings, especially when dealing with Iran's rival, Saudi Arabia.

In 2008, he told the Hamshahri newspaper that if Iran had found success in the international energy sector, he had been one of the main reasons for it. Arne Walther, a former leader of the International Energy Forum, said he had a "poker face" and was very good at his job. Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, called him a "strong defender of national interests" and a "candid advisor" to Iranian officials.