UAE withdraws from Arab oil-exporting group OAPEC

The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) on Sunday announced that the UAE had officially withdrawn from the alliance that did not set a production policy for its members.

This statement followed the UAE’s announcement on April 28 of its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ alliance to prioritise increasing its production. 

In a statement via its X platform account, OAPEC said, “The General Secretariat of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) has been informed of a letter from Eng. Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, on the UAE’s decision to withdraw from OAPEC membership, effective May 1, 2026.” 

The letter was addressed to Dr. Khalifa Rajab Abdul Sadiq, Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas and Chairman of the current session of OAPEC Council of Ministers. 

“While it appreciates the role played by the UAE throughout its membership period and its active contribution to supporting joint Arab action in the petroleum and energy sector, the General Secretariat of OAPEC affirms at the same time its commitment to continuing its efforts to enhance co-operation and integration among member states in a way that serves common interests through the implementation of its strategic programmes and initiatives,” the statement added. 

OAPEC was founded in 1968 with the aim of promoting co-operation among Arab oil exporting countries.