… as oil price hits $110
Oredola Adeola
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has exited the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC and OPEC+), effective 1 May 2026, marking one of the most significant geopolitical shifts in the global energy landscape in decades and joining a recent wave of exits that includes Qatar, Ecuador and Angola.
United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure made this known in a statement released on Tuesday and seen by Advisors Reports.
This decision according to the country reflects its long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets.
The Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure diclosed that the decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national interest and our commitment to contributing effectively to meeting the market’s pressing needs.
The Ministry said, “While near-term volatility, including disruptions in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, continues to affect supply dynamics, underlying trends point to sustained growth in global energy demand over the medium to long term.
“A stable global energy system depends on flexible, reliable, and affordable supply.
The disclosed noted that the UAE’s government has invested to meet evolving demand efficiently and responsibly, prioritizing stability, affordability, and sustainability, adding that its decision follows decades of constructive cooperation.
It said, “The UAE joined OPEC in 1967 through the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and continued its membership following the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
“Throughout this period, the UAE has played an active role in supporting global oil market stability and strengthening dialogue among producing nations.
“The decision reflects a policy-driven evolution in the UAE’s approach, enhancing flexibility to respond to market dynamics while continuing to contribute to stability in a measured and responsible manner.
The UAE is a trusted producer of some of the world’s most cost-competitive and lower-carbon barrels, which will play an important role in supporting global growth and emissions reduction.
Following its exit, the UAE will continue to act responsibly, bringing additional production to market in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions.
With a large and competitive resource base, the UAE will continue working with partners to develop resources, supporting economic growth and diversification.
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 Ministry emphasised that the time has come to focus the country’s efforts on what our national interest dictates and its commitment to investors, customers, partners and global energy markets.
The UAE reaffirmed that its production policies will be guided by responsibility and market stability, taking into account global supply and demand.
It will continue investing across the energy value chain, including oil, gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, to support resilience and long-term energy system transformation.
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure however noted that UAE values more than five decades of cooperation with partners and will continue active engagement in support of stable global energy markets.
Mario Nawfal, a Lebanese Australian entrepreneur, and political commentator based in Dubai, described the exit from as a logical move driven by geopolitical tensions, noting that prolonged conflict with Iran, including attacks on UAE infrastructure, and diverging positions with Saudi Arabia have strained regional alignment.
He added that frustration over OPEC production quotas—despite the UAE’s $62 billion investment to raise capacity to 5 million barrels per day—combined with high oil prices and tight global supply, creates an opportunity to maximise output, boost revenues, and operate without restrictions, similar to Qatar’s earlier exit.
According to him, the move signals a broader strategic break from an OPEC structure that still includes Iran and is heavily influenced by Saudi Arabia, suggesting that recent conflict has weakened Gulf cohesion within the group.
