The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil alliances, saying it will now concentrate on what it described as its “national interests,” according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The announcement, carried by the official WAM news agency, is set to take effect on Friday and comes at a time of heightened tension in global energy markets amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East pushing oil prices upward.
As one of the world’s leading oil producers, the UAE has at times expressed dissatisfaction with OPEC production limits. The statement explained that the exit reflects a broader shift in national strategy.
“This decision reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile,” the statement said.
“During our time in the organisation, 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.”
The development comes as Gulf oil exports face disruption due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route near the UAE that accounts for roughly one-fifth of global oil flow.
Relations within the region have also been strained, particularly between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s most influential member and the world’s largest oil exporter.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters that the decision followed a detailed review of the country’s current and future energy direction.
When asked whether consultations were held with Saudi Arabia, he stated that the UAE did not raise the matter with any other country.
“This is a policy decision, it has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” the minister said.
The move also follows growing frustration within the UAE, a key regional business hub and major U.S. ally, over what it described as insufficient support from other Arab states in response to Iranian attacks during the ongoing conflict.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, also criticised the regional and Gulf response to the Iranian strikes during remarks at the Gulf Influencers Forum on Monday.