UAE announces exit from OPEC and OPEC+

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from both Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and OPEC+, a significant move that could reshape global oil markets and test the unity of major oil-producing nations.

According to UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the decision was made after a comprehensive review of the country’s current and future energy strategies. Speaking to Reuters, he described the move as a policy-driven decision based on long-term considerations of production levels and national priorities.

When asked whether the UAE had consulted key partners such as Saudi Arabia before taking the step, Al Mazrouei emphasized that it was an internal policy decision reached after careful evaluation of energy policy direction.

The UAE has been a long-standing and influential member of OPEC, and its departure is expected to represent a major shift within the group, which has historically worked to maintain coordination among member states despite occasional disagreements over production quotas and geopolitical tensions.

The announcement comes at a time of heightened regional instability, including disruptions to global oil transport routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for international energy supplies amid ongoing tensions involving Iran.

Al Mazrouei noted that the immediate impact on global oil markets may be limited, citing existing supply pressures and ongoing fluctuations in production across key exporting nations.

The decision has also attracted international attention, particularly in Washington, where former U.S. President Donald Trump has previously criticised OPEC, accusing the group of artificially inflating oil prices and “ripping off the rest of the world.”

The UAE’s exit marks a pivotal moment for global energy politics, raising questions about the future structure and influence of coordinated oil production alliances.