international energy forum charter · 3. the charter does not create any legally binding rights or...

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INTERNATIONAL ENERGY FORUM

Charter

RIYADH

22 FEBRUARY 2011

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Contents

SectionI. TheForum ....................................................................................................................4

SectionII. Objectives......................................................................................................................5

SectionIII. Membership.................................................................................................................6

SectionIV. Organs ............................................................................................................................7

SectionV. MinisterialActivities ................................................................................................8

SectionVI. ExecutiveBoard....................................................................................................... 10

SectionVII. Secretariat ................................................................................................................. 13

SectionVIII. InternationalSupportGroup............................................................................. 16

SectionIX. IndustryAdvisoryCommittee........................................................................... 17

SectionX. BudgetandExpenditure...................................................................................... 18

SectionXI. ForumLanguage ..................................................................................................... 19

SectionXII. RelationswithRelevantOrganizations ........................................................ 19

SectionXIII. SuspensionofVotingandMembershipontheExecutiveBoard........ 19

SectionXIV. Headquarters............................................................................................................ 19

SectionXV. Modi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex................................................. 20

SectionXVI. ApprovalandEffectiveDateoftheCharter................................................. 21

SectionXVII. Withdrawals.............................................................................................................. 21

SectionXVIII. Noti�ication................................................................................................................ 21

Annex. ScaleofBudgetaryContributions.................................................................... 23

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SectionI

TheForum

1. TheInternationalEnergyForum(hereinafter“theForum”)isformedinaccordance withthefollowingprovisions.

2. TheForumisanintergovernmentalarrangementthatservesasaneutralfacilitatorofinformal,open,informedandcontinuingglobalenergydialogueamongitsmembershipofenergyproducingandenergyconsumingStates,includingtransitStates.

3. TheCharterdoesnotcreateanylegallybindingrightsorobligationsbetweenoramongitsmembers.

4. EachMemberStateiscommittedtotheglobalenergydialogueand,consistentlywithitsdomesticlawandinternationalobligations,participatesintheForumandendeavours,ingoodfaith,toimplementtheCharter’stermsandrealizeitsobjectives.

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SectionII

Objectives

ThefundamentalaimsoftheForumare:

a. fosteringgreatermutualunderstandingandawarenessofcommonenergyinterestsamongitsMembers;

b. promotingabetterunderstandingofthebene�itsofstableandtransparentenergymarketsforthehealthoftheworldeconomy,thesecurityofenergysupplyanddemand,andtheexpansionofglobaltradeandinvestmentinenergyresourcesandtechnology;

c. identifyingandpromotingprinciplesandguidelinesthatenhanceenergymarkettransparency,stabilityandsustainability;

d. narrowingthedifferencesamongenergyproducing,consumingandtransitMemberStatesonglobalenergyissuesandpromotingafullerunderstandingoftheirinterdependencyandthebene�itstobegainedfromcooperationthroughdialogueamongthem,aswellasbetweenthemandenergyrelatedindustries;

e. promotingthestudyandexchangeofviewsontheinter-relationshipsamongenergy,technology,environmentalissues,economicgrowthanddevelopment;

f. buildingcon�idenceandtrustthroughimprovedinformationsharingamongStates;and

g. facilitatingthecollection,compilationanddisseminationofdata,informationandanalysesthatcontributetogreatermarkettransparency,stabilityandsustainability.

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SectionIII

Membership

1. MembersoftheForumarethoseStatesMembersoftheUnitedNationswhichparticipatedattheMinisterialMeetingheldinRiyadhon22February2011,andapprovedandsignedtheCharterasMembersoftheForumonthesameday.

2. AnyotherStateMemberoftheUnitedNationsmaybecomeamemberoftheForum,providedthefollowingconditionsareful�illed:

a. itsubmitsawrittenof�icialcommunicationtotheSecretary-Generalofthe ForumexpressingitsapprovaloftheCharterandthewishtobecomea MemberoftheForum;and

b. theExecutiveBoardacceptsitsmembershipbyconsensusandintheabsence ofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.

3. EachMemberoftheForumtransmitsitsannualcontributionstotheSecretariat’sannualbudget,inaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter.MembersoftheForumfromamongtheleastdevelopedStates,asdeterminedbytheUnitedNationsOf�iceoftheHighRepresentativefortheLeastDevelopedCountries,LandlockedDevelopingCountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStates,arenotexpectedtoprovideannualcontributions.

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SectionIV

Organs

1. TheprincipalorgansoftheForumare:

a. MinisterialActivities;

b. TheExecutiveBoard;

c. ASecretariat;

d. AnInternationalSupportGroup;

e. AnIndustryAdvisoryCommittee.

2. TheorgansoftheForumaretoendeavourtoreachdecisionsbyconsensus.Intheabsenceofconsensus,unlessotherwiseindicated,decisionsaretobemadebyatwo-thirdsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.ForthepurposesoftheCharter,thephrase“memberspresentandvoting”meansmemberspresentandcastinganaf�irmativeornegativevote.Memberswhichabstainfromvotingareconsideredasnotvoting.Thepresenceofamajorityofthemembers,unlessotherwiseindicated,isrequiredforanydecisiontobetaken.

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SectionV

MinisterialActivities

1. BiennialMinisterialMeetings

a. MinisterialMeetingsaretheprimarybodyoftheForumandserveasaneutral venueforhighlevel,informal,open,informedandcontinuingglobalenergy

dialogueamongtheMembersoftheForum.

b. TheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatincoordinationwiththeHostState andCo-HostState(s)prepare,organizeandconducttheMinisterialMeetingso thatitleadstoafocusedandresult-orienteddialogueinpursuitoftheobjectives oftheForum.

c. AMinisterialMeetingisconvened,ataminimum,biennially.

d. TheMinisteroftheHostStateactsasthePresidentoftheMinisterialMeeting andtheMinistersoftheCo-HostState(s)actasthevice-President(s)ofthe MinisterialMeeting.

2. ExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings

a. ExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetingsmaybeheldattherequestofatleast �ive(5)MembersoftheForumandtheapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.

b. AnyrequestforanExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetingistobesubmittedin writingtothePresidentoftheforthcomingMinisterialMeetingthroughthe Secretary-General.ThePresidenttransmitssucharequesttotheExecutive BoardthroughtheSecretary-General.

c. TheExecutiveBoardmakesadecisiononsucharequestwithin twenty-one(21)daysofitsreceipt.

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3. WorkingGroups

a. MinisterialMeetingsmayestablishWorkingGroupsatMinisterialorotherlevels fortheperformanceofaspeci�ictask.WorkingGroupsinformtheMinisterial Meetingoftheoutcomeoftheirwork.

b. AnyMemberoftheForumortheSecretary-Generalmayrequestthe establishmentofaWorkingGroup.Sucharequestistobesubmittedinwriting throughtheSecretary-GeneraltotheChairoftheExecutiveBoardtogetherwith thereasonsforitscreation.TheExecutiveBoarddecidesonsucharequest within60daysofitsreceipt.

c. EachWorkingGroupestablishedinaccordancewithparagraph3(b)informs theExecutiveBoardontheoutcomeofitswork;

d. AnyMemberoftheForumwishingtoparticipateinaWorkingGroup establishedinaccordancewithparagraph3(b)istoinformtheExecutiveBoard priortothe�irstscheduledmeetingofthesaidWorkingGroup.

4. MinisterialMeeting’sConcludingStatements

a. TheHostStateandCo-HostState(s)ofaMinisterialMeetingwiththesupport fromtheSecretariatprepareandissueaConcludingStatementundertheirown responsibilityatthecloseoftheMinisterialMeeting.

b. AMinisterialMeetingmayissueadditionalandotherformsofcommunication withrespecttotheoutcomeofitsmeeting.

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SectionVIExecutiveBoard

1. FunctionsoftheExecutiveBoard

a. TheExecutiveBoardservesasthegoverningbodyoftheForum.

b. ThefunctionsoftheExecutiveBoardinclude:

(i) approvalofmembershiptotheForuminaccordancewithSectionIII(2);

(ii) approvalofholdingExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings;

(iii) approvalofthethemeandprogrammeofthebiennialMinisterialMeeting bearinginmindtheneedforfocusedandresult-orienteddialogue;

(iv) approvalandmonitoringofthebiennialProgrammeofWorkforthe SecretariattakingintoconsiderationsuchcommentsasMembersofthe

Forummayhavemade;

(v) reviewandapprovaloftheannualbudgetoftheSecretariattakinginto considerationsuchcommentsasMembersoftheForummayhavemade;

(vi) reviewandapprovalofthestatementofaccountsoftheSecretariat;

(vii) approvalofthestaffand�inancialregulationsoftheSecretariat;

(viii)appointmentofanauditortoconductanannualauditoftheSecretariat’s accounts;

(ix) appointmentoftheSecretary-Generalfromamongthenationalsof MembersoftheForum;

(x) selectionofaHostStateandCo-HostState(s)forbiennialMinisterial MeetingsandwhennecessaryforExtraordinaryMinisterialMeetings. Inprinciple,thereisoneCo-hostStateforaMinisterialMeeting.However, whenappropriate,theExecutiveBoardmayselecttwo(2)Co-HostStates;

(xi) establishmentofworkinggroupsorcommitteestogetherwithfunctions asdeemedappropriateforthepromptresolutionofmattersbrought beforetheExecutiveBoard;and

(xii) approvaloftheestablishment,asappropriate,ofoneormoresatellite of�icesoftheSecretariatinlocation(s)outsidetheHeadquartersofthe Secretariat.

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1 MembersappearonthelistofoilandgasproducingMemberStatesiftheirproductionvolume(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedstheirconsumptionvolume(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)andonthelistofoilandgasconsumingMemberStatesiftheirconsumptionvolumeislargerthantheirproductionvolume.Thetopoilandgasproducersarerankedbyproductionvolume,thetopoilandgasconsumersarerankedbyconsumptionvolume.

2. EstablishmentofandmembershipontheExecutiveBoard

a. TheExecutiveBoardistobeestablishedwithinonemonthfollowingtheclose ofthebiennialMinisterialMeetingandservesuntilthecloseofthenextbiennial MinisterialMeeting.

b. TheExecutiveBoardiscomprisedofdesignatedrepresentativesofministers responsibleforenergymattersfromthirty-one(31)MembersoftheForum. TherepresentativesoftheInternationalEnergyAgency(IEA)andthe OrganizationofthePetroleumExportingCountries(OPEC)arenon-voting

membersoftheExecutiveBoard.TheExecutiveBoardmayinviteother intergovernmentalbodiestoparticipateonanadhocbasisasobserversin meetingsoftheExecutiveBoard.

c. Fromamongthethirty-one(31)membersoftheBoard,twenty-three(23)are

toserveaspermanentmembersoftheExecutiveBoardandeight(8)asrotating members.

d. PermanentmembersoftheExecutiveBoardaretheHostcountryofthe Secretariatandtheeleven(11)largestoilandgasproducersandtheeleven(11) largestoilandgasconsumersasdeterminedinalistofthelatest�igures collectedbytheSecretariatasofthe1stofJanuaryoftheyearoftheMinisterial MeetingandapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard1.TheseatofanyMemberofthe ForumwhichisunwillingtoserveasapermanentmemberoftheExecutive Boardistobe�illedbythefollowingMemberonthelist.

e. ThepermanentmembershipoftheExecutiveBoardistobereviewedbiennially

andadjustedasdeterminedbythethenmostcurrentcollected�iguresbythe Secretariatasofthe1stofJanuaryoftheyearofthebiennialMinisterialMeeting.

f. Rotatingmembersaretobeselectedbythepermanentmemberswithinone

monthfollowingtheestablishmentoftheExecutiveBoardwithpermanent members.

g. Rotatingmembersmaybeappointedforsuccessiveterms.However,effortsare

tobemadetoprovidetheopportunityforMembersoftheForum,notquali�ied toserveaspermanentmembers,toserveasrotatingmembersoftheExecutive Board.

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h. Intheselectionofrotatingmembers,considerationistobegiventoachievinga balancedrepresentationamongoilandgasproducing,consumingandtransit states,developedanddevelopingcountries;geographicaldistributionisalsoto betakenintoaccount.Two(2)orthree(3)rotatingseatsare,however,tobe reservedfortheHostandtheCo-HostState(s)oftheforthcomingbiennial MinisterialMeeting,unlesstheyarepermanentmembersoftheExecutive Board.

i. TheExecutiveBoardischairedbytheHostStateoftheforthcomingbiennial

MinisterialMeeting.Saidchairmanshipbeginsatthecloseofthepreceding biennialMinisterialMeetingandconcludesatthecloseofthebiennial MinisterialMeetinghostedbythatState.

j. ThedutiesoftheChairoftheExecutiveBoardareto:

(i) reviewtheagendaandthepreparationforeachmeetingofthe ExecutiveBoard;

(ii) presideoverthemeetingsoftheExecutiveBoard;and

(iii)representtheExecutiveBoardatallMinisterialMeetingsofthe Forum.

k. TheCo-Hostistoactasthevice-ChairoftheExecutiveBoard.Wherethereare

twoCo-HostStates,theExecutiveBoarddecideswhichoneofthemistoactas thevice-Chair.

3. MeetingsandconductofBusinessoftheExecutiveBoard

a. TheExecutiveBoardmeetsatleasttwiceannually.Atleastonesuchmeetingof theExecutiveBoardistotakeplaceattheHeadquartersoftheForum.

b. AdditionalmeetingsoftheExecutiveBoardmaybeconvenedasdeemed

appropriatebytheChairoftheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretary-General,orat therequestofatleastthree-quartersofthemembersoftheExecutiveBoard.

c. Thepresenceofatleasttwo-thirdsofthemembersoftheExecutiveBoard

constitutesaquorumforpurposesofconductingthemeetingandmaking decisions.

d. TheExecutiveBoardmayestablishworkinggroupsorcommitteestoassistin

theperformanceofthefunctionsassignedtoit.

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SectionVIISecretariat

1. TheSecretariatistheadministrativeorganoftheForum.

2. TheSecretariatplans,organizesandexecutesactivitiesincludedandassignedtoitinthebiennialProgrammeofWork,takespartinthepreparationfortheMinisterialMeetings,andperformsanyadditionalactivitiesassignedtoitbytheExecutiveBoard.

3. ThedutiesoftheSecretariatalsoinclude:

a. theprovisionofaneutralplatformfordialogueandanexchangeofviewson issuesrelatingtotheobjectivesoftheForumamongMembersoftheForumand betweenMembersoftheForumandenergy-relatedindustries;

b. theexchangeofenergydataandinformationamongenergyproducing, consumingandtransitStates,organizationsandenergy-relatedindustries;

c. theorganizationofseminars,symposia,conferences,workshops,training programmes,exhibitionsandroundtablediscussionsonenergy-relevantglobal orregionalissues;

d. theestablishmentandconductofdialogueandcooperationwithotherenergy relevantentitiesinundertakingresearchandanalyses;

e. outreachtoenergyentitiesinthepublicandprivatesectors,andtointernational organizationsandnon-governmentalorganizations,topromotethestudyand exchangeofviewsontheinterrelationshipamongenergy,technology, environmentalissues,andeconomicgrowthanddevelopment;

f. thepreparationanddisseminationofnewsletters,factualandanalyticalreports, statementsandpressreleasesonactivitiesoftheForum;

g. theprovisionofassistancetoMembersoftheForumtoensurethatthedialogue amongthemismorefullyfocusedandresult-oriented;

h. theprovisionofadvisory,operationalandlogisticalservicestotheHostStateof aMinisterialMeeting;

i. thepreparationofafocusedagenda,andcollectionandanalysesofpertinent factualinformationrelevanttotheagendaoftheMinisterialMeetingsinorderto facilitatediscussionsonconcreteissues;

j. theprovisionofassistancetotheHostStateandCo-HostState(s)withthe preparationandissuanceofaConcludingStatement;

k. thepreparationofagendas,necessaryanalyses,reportsandprovisionof assistancetotheExecutiveBoard,theInternationalSupportGroupandthe IndustryAdvisoryCommittee;

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l. thecirculationtotheMembersoftheForumoftheproposedbiennial ProgrammeofWorkanddraftannualbudgetandthetransmissiontothe ExecutiveBoardofsuchcommentsasMembersoftheForummayhavemade;

m. thecirculationtotheMembersoftheForumofthebiennialProgrammeofWork andannualbudgetapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard.

4. TheSecretariat,inconsultationswiththeExecutiveBoard,istocooperatecloselywiththeIEA,OPEC,GasExportingCountriesForum(GECF),InternationalGasUnion(IGU)andotherrelevantorganizations.Itistoworkwiththeseorganizationsonmattersofmutualinterestwhileavoidingasfaraspossibleduplicationofwork.Whereappropriate,suchcooperationmaybearrangedthroughMemorandaofUnderstandingwiththeapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.

5. EachMemberoftheForumistofacilitatetheworkoftheSecretariat,inconnectionwithorganizingandconductingseminars,colloquia,workinggroups,trainingsessions,andotheractivitiesoftheForumintheMember’sterritory.

6. Intheperformanceoftheirfunctions,theSecretary-GeneralandthestaffoftheSecretariatareneithertoseeknortoacceptinstructionsfromanysourceexternaltotheForum.

7. TheSecretariatisheadedandmanagedbytheSecretary-General.

8. TheSecretary-GeneralservesasthechiefexecutiveoftheForumandisaffordedtheindependenceandauthoritynecessarytoconducttheaffairsoftheForuminfurtheranceofitsobjectivesandfunctions,asprovidedintheCharter.

9. TheSecretary-GeneralintheperformanceofhisorherdutiesisaccountabletotheExecutiveBoard.

10. TheSecretary-GeneralappointsthestaffoftheSecretariatfromamongthenationalsoftheMembersoftheForumandinaccordancewithstaffregulations,bearinginmindtheneedforgeographicalbalance.TheSecretary-GeneralistoconsultandseektheadviceoftheExecutiveBoardpriortoappointmentoftheDirectorsofDivisionsoftheSecretariat.

11. TheSecretary-GeneralisappointedbytheExecutiveBoardforatermoffour(4)years.TheappointmentoftheSecretary-Generalmaybeextendedonceforanadditionalperioduptotwo(2)years.TheSecretary-GeneralisbasedattheHeadquartersoftheSecretariat.

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12. ThedutiesoftheSecretary-Generalareto: a. preparethebiennialProgrammeofWorkoftheSecretariattopromoteand

implementtheobjectivesoftheCharterandsuchguidingpoliciesandpriorities asmayhavebeensetforthbytheMinisterialMeetings;

b. directtheworkoftheSecretariatandensurethatthebiennialProgrammeof

Workispreparedanddeliveredinatimelyandef�icientmanner; c. serveasthesecretaryofthemeetingsoftheExecutiveBoard;

d. servetheExecutiveBoardandprovideitsmemberswithinformation concerningtheon-goingactivitiesoftheSecretariatandanyotherinformation relevanttotheworkoftheExecutiveBoardorrequestedbytheExecutiveBoard;

e. maintainliaisonwithMembersoftheForum,organizationsandenergy-related industriesonmattersconcerningtheinternationalenergymarkets;

f. seekandreceivesuggestionsfromrepresentativesofMembersoftheForum, organizationsandindustryparticipantsintheForumregardingtheactivitiesof theForum;

g. ensureef�icientmanagementofhumanand�inancialresources;

h. commissionconsultantswhennecessarytoadviseonspecialmattersrelated totheworkoftheForumorconductexpertstudieswhensuchworkcannotbe undertakenbytheSecretariat;

i. informMembersoftheForumoftheirshareofcontributiontotheannual budgetoftheSecretariatinaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetary contributionsintheAnnextotheCharterandreportthereontotheExecutive Boardonaregularbasis;and

j. preparedraftbudgetandother�inancialreportsoftheSecretariatforthe considerationandapprovaloftheExecutiveBoard.

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SectionVIII

InternationalSupportGroup

1. TheInternationalSupportGroupiscomprisedofrepresentativesfrommembersoftheExecutiveBoard,theIEAandOPECSecretariatsandfromasmanyMembersoftheForumasarewillingtoparticipate.OtherinternationalorganizationsmaybeinvitedbytheChairoftheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretary-GeneraltoparticipateintheInternationalSupportGroup.

2. TheInternationalSupportGroup:

a. providestheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatwithadviceonthestructure andthemesoftheforthcomingbiennialMinisterialMeeting,energypolicy issues,andpossiblewaysofimprovingthedialogueamongenergyproducing, andenergyconsumingMemberStates,includingtransitMemberStates;and

b. advisesandassiststheExecutiveBoardandtheSecretariatinthe implementationofthebiennialProgrammeofWork.

3. TheInternationalSupportGroupisconstitutedbienniallyfollowingthecloseofthebiennialMinisterialMeetingandtheestablishmentofanewExecutiveBoard.

4. TheInternationalSupportGroupischairedbytheChairoftheExecutiveBoard.

5. TheInternationalSupportGroupistomeetatleastonceayear.

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SectionIX

IndustryAdvisoryCommittee

1. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeadvisestheExecutiveBoardandthe Secretary-GeneralonactivitiesoftheForum.TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeis tomeetatleastonceayear.

2. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeincludesrepresentativesofbusinessenterprises andindustryentitieswhichcontributetotheForumandareinvitedbythe Secretary-General,inconsultationswiththeExecutiveBoard,tojointheCommittee. TherepresentativesofthemembersoftheInternationalSupportGroupmay participateasobservers.

3. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeisconstitutedbienniallyfollowingthecloseofthe biennialMinisterialMeeting.

4. TheIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeistoelect,byasimplemajority,aChairand analternateChairfromamongitsmembers,atits�irstmeetingfollowingthebiennial MinisterialMeeting.TheCommitteemayestablishsub-groupsforful�illmentofits tasks.

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SectionX

BudgetandExpenditure

1. TheMemberStatesaretoensuretheprovisionofadequateandpredictable�inancialresourcesbothtosustainanannualbudgetfortheSecretariatapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard,andtopermitlong-termplanningandtheful�illmentofmulti-yearprograms.Toachievetheseobjectives,theactivitiesoftheSecretariataretobe�inancedbythefollowingformsofcontribution:

a. annualcontributionsbyMemberStates,inaccordancewiththescaleof budgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter,payablebefore1stofJuneof eachyear;

b. additionalcontributionsandsupplementalcontributionsbyMemberStatesto

speci�icadditionalactivities;and c. contributionsfromindustryparticipantsintheBusinessForaandfromother

sources.

2. ThebudgetaryyearoftheForumisfromJanuary1untilDecember31ofeachyear.

3. ThebudgetoftheSecretariatforeachbudgetaryyearistobeproposedbytheSecretary-GeneralandreviewedandapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard,nolaterthanthirty(30)daysbeforetheendoftheprecedingbudgetaryyear.

4. TheExecutiveBoardistoendeavourtomakedecisionsonannualbudgetandexpendituresbyconsensus.Ifconsensuscannotbeachieved,suchdecisionsaremadebyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.

5 TheSecretary-Generalmanagestheannualbudget.

6 AccountsoftheSecretariataretobemaintainedinUSDollars.

7. AnauditorappointedinaccordancewithSectionVI(1)(b)(viii)istoreviewtheannual�inancialreportsoftheSecretariataccordingtointernationalaccountingstandardsandpresenthisorhercommentsandrecommendationstotheExecutiveBoard.

8. TheSecretary-General,withinfour(4)monthsoftheendofeachbudgetaryyear,istoprovidetotheExecutiveBoard,foritsconsiderationandapproval,anauditedannualreportwhichaccountsfortheactivitiesandthe�inancialstatusoftheSecretariat,includingabalancesheet,acash�lowstatementandexplanatorynotes.

9. TheSecretary-GeneralcirculatestheauditedannualreportapprovedbytheExecutiveBoardtoMembersoftheForum.

10. AllbudgetarydocumentsandreportsaretobearchivedelectronicallybytheSecretariatforaperiodoftenyearsorforalongerperiodasmaybedecidedbytheExecutiveBoard.

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SectionXI

ForumLanguage

ThelanguageoftheForumisEnglish.

SectionXII

RelationswithRelevantOrganizations

TheExecutiveBoardmayestablishanappropriaterelationshipbetweentheForumandrelevantorganizationsbymeansoftheexchangeofMemorandaofUnderstanding.

SectionXIII

SuspensionofVotingandMembershipontheExecutiveBoard

1. ThevoteofaMemberoftheForumwhichisde�icientinthepaymentofitsannual contributiontotheSecretariatissuspendediftheamountofitsde�iciencyequalsor exceedstheamountofitsannualcontribution(inaccordancewiththescaleof budgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter)fortheprecedingyear.

2. AMemberoftheForumontheExecutiveBoardwhichisde�icientintheamount speci�iedinparagraph1losesitsmembershipontheExecutiveBoard.Its membershipistoresumeassoonastheMemberisnolonger�inanciallyde�icient.

SectionXIV

Headquarters

1. TheHeadquartersoftheForumisinRiyadh,theKingdomofSaudiArabia.

2. TheSecretariatislocatedintheHeadquartersoftheForumandbene�itsfromthe immunitiesandprivilegesnecessaryfortheperformanceofitsfunctionsin accordancewiththeProtocolonHeadquarters,ImmunitiesandPrivilegesbetween theGovernmentoftheKingdomofSaudiArabiaandtheSecretariatofthe InternationalEnergyForum,signedon30June2004andanyamendmentsthereto.

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SectionXV

Modi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex

1. AnyMemberoftheForummayproposemodi�icationstotheCharteranditsAnnex.

2. Anyproposedmodi�icationtotheCharteranditsAnnexistobesubmittedinwritingtotheExecutiveBoardthroughtheSecretary-General.

3. Anymodi�icationtotheCharteranditsAnnexistobeapprovedbytheExecutiveBoardbyconsensusandintheabsenceofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.Suchamodi�icationistobepresentedtotheMembersoftheForumatleastthirty(30)dayspriortotheforthcomingMinisterialMeeting.

4. Adoptionofanymodi�icationtotheCharteroritsAnnexbytheMinisterialMeetingistobebyconsensusandintheabsenceofconsensusbyafour-�ifthsmajorityoftheMemberspresentandvoting.

5. Amodi�icationtotheCharteroritsAnnexbecomeseffectiveforallMembersoftheForumwhenfour-�ifthsoftheMembershavenoti�iedtheSecretary-Generalinwritingoftheirapprovalofsuchmodi�ication.

6. TheSecretary-GeneralistonotifyallMembersoftheForumoftheeffectivedateofsuchmodi�ication.

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SectionXVI

ApprovalandEffectiveDateoftheCharter

1. TheCharterwasapprovedattheMinisterialMeetingon22February2011heldinRiyadh,KingdomofSaudiArabia.

2. TheCharterbecomeseffectivethirty(30)daysfollowingthejoiningof�ifty(50)StatesasMembersoftheForuminaccordancewithSectionIII.TheSecretary-GeneralistopromptlyinformallMemberStatesoftheeffectivedateoftheCharter.

3. TheCharteristoreplacetheStatuteoftheSecretariatoftheInternationalEnergyForumapprovedinIsfahan,IslamicRepublicofIraninSeptember2003anditssubsequentmodi�icationsonthedatetheCharterbecomeseffective.TheSecretariatwhichwasestablishedundertheStatuteistobecometheSecretariatoftheForumandistohenceforthoperateundertheCharter.

SectionXVIIWithdrawals

1. AnyMemberoftheForummaywithdrawfromtheForumbysubmittingawrittennoti�icationtothateffecttotheExecutiveBoardthroughtheSecretary-General.

2. AnyMemberoftheForumwhichisde�icientinthepaymentofitsannualcontributiontotheSecretariatisdeemedtohavewithdrawnfrommembershipintheForumiftheamountofitsde�iciencyequalsorexceedstheamountofitsannualcontribution(inaccordancewiththescaleofbudgetarycontributionsintheAnnextotheCharter)fortheprecedingtwoyears.Re-entrytomembershipisthensubjecttoSectionIII(2).

SectionXVIIINoti�ication

TheGovernmentoftheKingdomofSaudiArabia,astheHostCountry,onbehalfoftheMembersoftheForum,isrequestedtotransmittotheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsthetextoftheCharter,withaviewtoitscirculationtotheMembersoftheOrganizationasanof�icialdocumentoftheUnitedNations.

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Annex

ScaleofBudgetaryContributions

TheshareofcontributionofMemberstotheannualbudgetoftheSecretariatisinaccordancewiththefollowingscale:

a. Theminimumforcontributionsisequalto0.5%oftheAnnualBudgetofthe Secretariat. b. Themaximumforcontributionsisequalto6%oftheAnnualBudgetofthe Secretariat.

c. Withintheabove�loorandceiling,MembersoftheForumtransmitanannual contributionequalto:

ForoilandgasconsumingMemberStates2:

AnnualBudgetoftheSecretariattimesthetotalconsumptionofoilandgasofeach MemberState,dividedbythesumofthetotaloilandgasconsumptionofconsuming MemberStates,andthetotaloilandgasproductionofproducingMemberStates.

ForoilandgasproducingMemberStates3:

AnnualBudgetoftheSecretariattimesthetotalproductionofoilandgasofeach MemberState,dividedbythesumofthetotaloilandgasconsumptionofconsuming MemberStates,andthetotaloilandgasproductionofoilandgasproducingMember States.

Withoutprejudiceto(a)and(b)hereinabove,anyremainingbalanceofthebudgetwillbeallocatedproratatotheMemberStates.

d. LeastDevelopedCountries,asdeterminedbytheUnitedNationsOf�iceofthe HighRepresentativefortheLeastDevelopedCountries,Land-Locked DevelopingCountries,andSmallIslandDevelopingStates,arenotexpectedto makeannualcontributions.

2 OilandgasconsumingMemberStatesarede�inedasthoseMemberStateswhoseoilandgasconsumption(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedsitsoilandgasproduction(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent).

3 OilandgasproducingMemberStatesarede�inedasthoseMemberStateswhoseoilandgasproduction(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent)exceedsitsoilandgasconsumption(measuredinmilliontonsofoilequivalent).

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