New Delhi, Updated At : 02:00 AM Apr 29, 2026 IST
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced it will leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ grouping effective May 1, marking a major change in its long-term energy strategy.
In an official statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said the decision followed a comprehensive review of production policy and capacity and was aligned with national economic priorities. The move comes as the UAE seeks greater flexibility in oil production amid global market volatility and as it pursues an independent foreign policy in West Asia that at times diverges from positions of Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s de facto leader, during the ongoing US-Iran war.
The ministry said the exit reflects the UAE’s evolving energy profile and increased focus on expanding domestic production while maintaining a “responsible, reliable and forward‑looking” role in global markets. It stressed the decision does not signal a retreat from international cooperation, but rather aims to enhance the country’s ability to respond to market dynamics while contributing to stability. “Our policies will be guided by responsibility and market stability, taking into account global supply and demand,” the statement said.
Acknowledging more than five decades of membership, the UAE noted it joined OPEC in 1967 through Abu Dhabi and continued after the federation’s formation in 1971, expressing appreciation for OPEC and OPEC+ roles in market balance. The statement highlighted expectations of steady long‑term growth in global energy demand despite short‑term disruptions, including tensions in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and emphasized the need for a flexible, reliable and affordable supply system.
After exiting, the UAE said it will continue investing across the energy value chain — oil, gas, renewables and low‑carbon solutions — and bring additional production to markets gradually and in line with demand. Reaffirming commitment to global market stability, the UAE said it will remain engaged with international partners while pursuing economic diversification and its long‑term energy transition goals.
