The United Arab Emirates has announced it will officially leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the wider OPEC+ alliance on May 1, marking one of the biggest shifts in the global oil market in recent years. State news agency WAM described the move as a “strategic decision” tied to the country’s long-term economic vision and evolving energy strategy.
The UAE said it wants greater flexibility in managing oil production and responding to global energy demand without being bound by OPEC production quotas. Officials also pointed to massive investments in domestic energy projects, including plans to expand production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2027.
Energy analysts say the decision could weaken OPEC’s influence over global oil prices, especially as the UAE is one of the group’s largest producers. The move comes during heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz that have already pushed global oil prices higher.
Even before OPEC was formally established in 1971, the United Arab Emirates had been a member since 1967. Its departure comes after similar withdrawals by nations like Angola in 2023 and Qatar in 2019, both of which were attributed to differences in production policy.
UAE officials stated that despite leaving the alliance, the nation is still dedicated to ensuring the stability of the world’s energy supply and would keep working with oil producers and consumers across the globe.
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