The United Arab Emirates will exit OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, 2026 [2], according to an announcement made on April 28, 2026 [3].
This departure marks a significant shift in global oil diplomacy, as the UAE has been a member of the organization for nearly 60 years [1]. The move potentially disrupts the coordinated production quotas used by the cartel to stabilize global crude prices.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei defended the decision in recent interviews. He said the move is based on exceptional circumstances and the need to protect national interests. The minister specifically cited the U.S.-Israel war on Iran as a contributing factor to the decision.
"We are acting in the national interest," al-Mazrouei said. He said the exit aligns with the country's long-term energy strategy.
While some reports focus on the exit from OPEC specifically [2], other sources indicate the UAE is quitting both the core OPEC group and the wider OPEC+ alliance. The decision comes as the UAE seeks to balance its economic vision with the volatile geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
"Our decision is based on exceptional circumstances and the need to protect our national interests," al-Mazrouei said.
“"We are acting in the national interest."”
The UAE's withdrawal signals a transition from collective production management toward independent national sovereignty over its oil assets. By exiting during a period of regional conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, the UAE is prioritizing its own economic resilience and strategic flexibility over the price-stabilization goals of the OPEC+ alliance.
