The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on 1 May 2026, marking a significant turning point in its long-term energy strategy. According to state-run WAM, the move reflects the country's new economic vision and the changing structure of its energy sector.
The decision to leave was described by the energy minister Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouand as a sovereign step based on a thorough reassessment of oil, energy and broader economic strategy. The Emirates, he said, is responding to the expected growth in global fuel demand and wants to be ready to meet that demand.
After leaving OPEC and OPEC+, the UAE plans to proceed cautiously and increase production gradually, in line with market and demand developments. At the same time, they intend to continue investing across the entire energy chain - from oil and gas to renewables and low-carbon technologies. This approach is intended to strengthen the resilience of the economy and support the long-term transformation of the energy sector.
The Emirates stressed that their move does not mean a move away from supporting global market stability. On the contrary, they want to continue to work with producers and customers and to develop their resources in order to promote economic growth and economic diversification.
The UAE's decision will be one of the main topics of the upcoming meeting of OPEC+ Member Countries in June. The ministerial meeting of the Alliance and the Monitoring Committee is scheduled for 7 June.
gnews.cz - GH
Czech 
English 
Spanish 
French 
Italian 
Russian 
Chinese 
German