Abu Dhabi, April 28 (Petra) -- The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance, with the decision taking effect from May 1.

The move, reported by the Emirates News Agency, "aligns with the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and the evolution of its energy sector, including accelerating investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to its role as a responsible and reliable producer anticipating the future of global energy markets."

The agency said the decision followed "a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity, as well as national interest considerations and the country’s commitment to contributing effectively to meeting urgent market needs, as geopolitical volatility persists in the near term through disruptions in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz that affect supply dynamics, while underlying trends point to continued growth in global energy demand over the medium and long term."

A source close to the UAE’s energy ministry said, "Given the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE did not wish to remain bound by production quotas once conditions return to normal."

The UAE, which accounted for 11% of OPEC output in 2025, joined the organization in 1967 through the emirate of Abu Dhabi and retained its membership following the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

//Petra// AF

28/04/2026 21:20:29