UAE to Exit OPEC, OPEC+ from May 1st
The UAE State news agency WAM said the move follows a review of production policy and capacity, aimed at enhancing flexibility in responding to market demand while continuing to support global energy stability.
By IAR Desk
The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the larger OPEC+ alliance with effect from 1st May, 2026.
This has sent shockwaves through energy markets as it upends a long held consensus for oil producing nations, through the OPEC cartel largely under the supervision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) which holds the world ‘s largest proven oil reserves.
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The country joined OPEC in 1967 through Abu Dhabi and remained a member after the federation was formed in 1971, contributing alongside producers such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to Middle East oil output, which accounts for roughly 30% of global supply.
The UAE State news agency WAM said the move follows a review of production policy and capacity, aimed at enhancing flexibility in responding to market demand while continuing to support global energy stability.
In an interview with CNBC, UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said the decision was taken after “a very careful and long review” of policy. “The decision to be outside any constraint is something that important for us to ensure that we are attaining at the market condition, at the right time and at the right pace,” he said.
He added that timing was chosen to minimise disruption. “We believe that the world is currently under supplied, and our exit at this time is the right time for it, because it will have a minimum impact on the price.”
According to Reuters, the UAE exit from OPEC represents a big win for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused the organisation of “ripping off the rest of the world” by inflating oil prices. Trump has also linked U.S. military support for the Gulf with oil prices, saying that while the U.S. defends OPEC members they “exploit this by imposing high oil prices”.
– With agency inputs
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