UAE Announces Withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ Effective May 1, 2026

The United Arab Emirates officially announced its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance, with the exit set to take effect on May 1, 2026.

The move follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policies, current capacity, and future energy strategy. According to statements carried by state media, the decision aligns with the country’s long-term economic vision, accelerated investments in domestic energy production, and a commitment to playing a responsible role in meeting global market needs.

Once unbound by collective quotas, the UAE is expected to gain greater flexibility to adjust its oil output independently. The country has invested heavily in expanding its production infrastructure and aims to increase output to better respond to international demand.

The announcement comes amid longstanding internal discussions within OPEC+ over production levels. The UAE has previously expressed frustrations with quota constraints that it believes do not fully reflect its enhanced capacity.