UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei
UAE’s OPEC withdrawal: Strategic shift or economic recalibration?
The decision appears driven by economic priorities and long-term planning rather than an attempt at geopolitical escalation
The UAE’s withdrawal from both OPEC and OPEC+ surprised some observers but was anticipated by others. These organisations have long played a central role in regulating global oil production and stabilising markets, although they have also faced criticism, including from US President Donald Trump. To understand the implications of the UAE’s decision, it is useful to examine several key dimensions: the role of OPEC, the UAE’s official reasoning, the potential impact on the organisation, the surrounding geopolitical context and the deeper motivations behind the move. OPEC was founded in 1960. Abu Dhabi joined in 1967, followed by the UAE as a federation in 1971. OPEC’s membership has included m
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