In view of the impacts of social environment on the efficacy of petroleum industry activities and with a view to presenting a clear image of the petroleum industry to the public opinion, providing the necessary space for enhancing social confidence, improving relations with local communities and facilitating working conditions for the petroleum industry in these communities, optimizing spending regarding the responsibility of organizations and oil companies and exercising supervision in this regard, the Minister of Petroleum instructed CSR policy and code for the petroleum industry in September 2019, covering all major and minor oil companies.
To that effect, the Ministry of Petroleum, while pursuing development, production and exports, has focused on the issue of social responsibility and achieved great success. Besides responsibilities in the oil, gas, refining, distribution and petrochemical sectors, the Ministry of Petroleum has stepped into other sectors where both government and people need assistance and has taken important steps. In fact, despite sanctions hindering oil sales, the Ministry of Petroleum has proven to be among the most successful entities in social responsibility.
The Ministry of Petroleum has also provided relief aid to people during natural disasters like flooding and earthquake. It has made significant investment in repairing rural roads to make them accessible, building and renovating schools, supplying water to villages, holding training courses for university candidates, creating jobs, hiring qualified local manpower, improving livelihood, removing obstacles to production, health and development of sport centers, cooperation with the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and State Welfare Organization, contribution to subway construction, not to mention the measures undertaken during the Covid-19 outbreak. These measures have undoubtedly been effective in the development of various areas and eradication of poverty.