04.05.2026 14:15
The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries following its departure from OPEC and OPEC+. With this decision, the country aims to act more independently in its oil production policies and move away from quotas that limit its production capacity. Experts assess that this step could affect the balance in the global energy market and potentially usher in a more competitive era.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has added another step to its moves that shake global energy balances. After previously announcing its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+, the country has now announced its withdrawal from the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).
In a written statement by OAPEC, it was reported that UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei notified the organization's current president, Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, of the withdrawal decision through an official letter. The statement indicated that the decision took effect as of May 1, 2026.
LINKED TO THE PROCESS OF LEAVING OPEC
The UAE's decision is seen as a continuation of its recently announced move to leave OPEC and OPEC+. The Abu Dhabi administration had announced its withdrawal from these two major oil alliances as of May 1, 2026. Official statements emphasized that this step is linked to the country's long-term economic goals, transformation in the energy sector, and strategy to increase production capacity.
EMPHASIS ON "MORE FLEXIBILITY"
In assessments in the international press, it is noted that the UAE wants to act independently, especially from production quotas, and has therefore left the organizations. According to experts, the country aims to intervene in the market more quickly and independently by freeing itself from quotas that limit its increasing production capacity. The UAE's long-standing investments to increase daily oil production and its desire to use this capacity freely are among the prominent topics in analyses.
IMPACT ON GLOBAL ENERGY BALANCES DEBATED
Energy experts state that the UAE's consecutive withdrawals from OPEC, OPEC+, and OAPEC could herald a new era in the oil market. It is stated that this move could particularly complicate production coordination and weaken OPEC's influence on global prices. On the other hand, some analyses predict that the short-term impact on the market may be limited, but in the long term, a more competitive and fragmented energy structure could emerge.
NEW ENERGY ERA IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The UAE's decisions are considered a development that could have not only economic but also geopolitical consequences. As the future of energy cooperation and coordination among Gulf countries is reopened for debate, how the balances in the oil market will shape up has become a matter of curiosity.