The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced this Tuesday its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance due to the “disturbances in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz” starting May 1, 2026, reported the official Emirati news agency WAM.
The agency noted that this decision is driven “by national interests and the country’s commitment to actively contribute to meeting the urgent needs of the marketespecially given the current near-term geopolitical volatility stemming from disruptions in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which affect supply dynamics.”
Likewise, he noted that “fundamental trends indicate continued growth in global energy demand in the medium and long term,” and argued that “the stability of the global energy system depends on the availability of flexible, reliable and affordable supplies.”
The withdrawal of the Emirates comes at a time when OPEC production was reduced in March by almost 8 million barrels per day (mbd), 27.5% less than what was pumped in February, due to the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which mainly affected Iraq and the countries of the Persian Gulf.
The country’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei defended that OPEC’s withdrawal “reflects a political evolution aligned with long-term market fundamentals.”
The Emirates joined OPEC in 1967 through the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and maintained its membership after the country’s creation in 1971, and “throughout this period, the country has played an active role in supporting the stability of the global oil market and promoting dialogue between producing countries,” WAM added.
He highlighted that the UAE “is a reliable producer of some of the most price-competitive and least carbon-intensive oils in the world, contributing to global growth and emissions reductions.”
However, he argued that “After leaving OPEC, the UAE will continue to play its responsible role by increasing production in a slack and prudent manner”and will continue to “collaborate with its partners to develop resources.”
He stressed that “this decision does not alter the UAE’s commitment to the stability of the world market nor its approach based on cooperation with producers and consumers,” he justified.
The Emirates also expressed “its gratitude” for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, but stressed that “the time has come to focus efforts on the national interests of the UAE.”
“UAE will continue to invest in the entire energy value chain, including oil and gas, renewable energy and low-carbon solutions, to strengthen the resilience and long-term transformation of its energy system,” he concluded.
The Emirates’ decision comes at a time of tension with its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, which it has accused of not coordinating positions against Iran’s attacks against the energy infrastructure of this oil-rich region.
Likewise, it originates from US President Donald Trump’s criticism of OPEC, an organization that he has accused of inflating oil prices. EFE
