Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli (, born in 1953 in Ahvaz) is an Iranian politician, diplomat, economist and academic. He was the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum from 2014 until 2018. He is the founder of Ravand Institute. He was the chairman of Iran's first Investment Bank Amin Investment Bank until 2011. In May 2014, he received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan, Akihito, the highest Order given to any Iranian National for his important role in the Iran–Japan Relation. Personal life and education Hossein Adeli is one of the few Iranian politicians to have an international background, having studied Business Administration at Tehran Business School, he continued his Masters in International Economics at University of Tehran before earning his Doctor of Business Administration in California Coast University. He attended his Ph.D. courses in Stony Brook University and New School University. He obtained his second Ph.D. in Economics from Jamia Millia Islamia. Political and academic career Adeli was educated in Dar ul-Funun (Persian: دار الفنون ) in Tehran. Beginning his career teaching at various universities in Tehran, at age of 27 he became the Director General of the Economic Affairs Department in Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Five years later, he became special advisor to the Foreign Ministry. In the following year, he acted as advisor to the Minister of Petroleum. Adeli went on to represent Iran at various OPEC meetings. Adeli is one of the only dignitaries of the Islamic Republic to have actively participated to the World Economic Forum activities. Diplomatic career Adeli’s diplomatic career began with his appointment as Iran’s Ambassador to Japan between 1986 and 1989, during which he played a key role in revitalising Iranian and Japanese business/political relations. While he was in office, Hirohito, the 124th Emperor of Japan who ruled for over 60 years died on January 7, 1989, and his imperial funeral was held on the next month. On February 24, Adeli and his wife attended the Rites of Imperial Funeral with Mostafa Mir-Salim, Vice President and Hossein Saffar Harandi, a Member of Parliament and the Chairman of Parliament Committee on Agriculture. Soon thereafter, at the age of 36 he was appointed Governor of Central Bank of Iran. Adeli is credited a pioneer of the economic reform package during the critical years of reconstruction following the Iraq-Iran War. Adeli’s diplomatic career progressed through his appointment