After more than five decades as a member, the United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, with the exit taking effect on May 1, 2026.
Abu Dhabi’s history with OPEC predates the UAE’s own founding — the emirate joined the organization in 1967, four years before the federation was established in 1971. The decision to leave marks a significant shift after decades during which the UAE played an active role in stabilizing global oil markets and facilitating dialogue among producing nations.
Officials framed the move as a strategic evolution driven by national priorities rather than a break from cooperative principles. The UAE said its withdrawal follows a thorough review of its production policies and future capacity, with the aim of strengthening its ability to respond to shifting market conditions.
“This decision does not alter the UAE’s commitment to global market stability or its approach based on cooperation with producers and consumers. Rather, it enhances the UAE’s ability to respond to evolving market needs,” the state news agency WAM said.
The country cited its long-term economic vision and accelerating investments in domestic energy production as key factors behind the move. Officials said the UAE considers itself a reliable source of cost-competitive, lower-carbon crude — output they say will remain relevant to global growth and emissions goals.
Near-term factors also appear to have informed the timing. The UAE acknowledged ongoing supply disruptions in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining that medium- to long-term trends continue to point toward sustained global energy demand growth.
Following the exit, the UAE said it intends to bring additional production to market gradually, in step with demand and prevailing conditions — framing independent operation not as an expansion of output, but a recalibration of its responsiveness.
“We reaffirm our appreciation for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance and wish them success. During our time in the organization, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets. This is what we will focus on going forward,” WAM added.
Beyond oil, the UAE said it will continue channeling investment across the broader energy value chain, spanning gas, renewables, and low-carbon technologies, as part of a long-term effort to support the transformation of the global energy system.
