After leaving "OPEC".. UAE hints at reviewing its membership in regional and international organizations

Informed sources revealed that the United Arab Emirates is moving towards a comprehensive review of its contributions and role in multilateral international and regional organizations. This move comes just one day after Abu Dhabi's official announcement of its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a decision that will come into effect on May 1st.

A high-ranking Emirati official stated that the state is currently studying the feasibility of its membership in several bodies, emphasizing that the review does not necessarily mean immediate additional withdrawals. However, this statement has sparked a wave of speculation about the future of the UAE's presence within the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially in light of the radical changes in the state's foreign policy.

Reports indicate that the decision to withdraw from "OPEC" and "OPEC+" reflects the widening gap of disagreement between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, which previously formed a solid axis in the region. The former close alliance has turned into escalating competition that included oil quotas, geopolitical policies, in addition to the intense struggle to attract capital and international companies.

In a related context, the diplomatic advisor to the President, Anwar Gargash, criticized the performance of regional organizations during recent crises, describing the political and military stance of the GCC as historically the weakest. Gargash explained that the UAE had expected stronger support in facing external threats, noting that the responses were not commensurate with the challenges the country faced.

Gargash affirmed in his statements that the UAE is in the process of redrawing its international relations map based on precise criteria that will define reliable allies in the future. He stressed that a rational review of national priorities is the only way to ensure the stability of the Emirati economic and political model in a turbulent regional environment.

These shifts come at a time when Abu Dhabi is seeking to consolidate its position as a global financial and technological hub, away from the traditional constraints of some old alliances. The Emirati leadership believes that flexibility in international movement serves its national interests better at the current stage, especially with its growing influence in Africa and other regions.

Observers believe that the UAE's exit from OPEC may be just the beginning of a series of sovereign decisions aimed at disengaging from paths that do not serve its economic vision. The UAE aspires to increase its oil production and invest its resources independently, which has repeatedly clashed with the production ceilings imposed by the international organization.

On the security front, the UAE has strengthened its partnerships with new international and regional powers, including deepening cooperation with the United States and Israel following the signing of the Abraham Accords. Abu Dhabi believes that these alliances provide it with an advanced security and technological umbrella that goes beyond what joint Arab action can offer in its current form.

Emirati criticisms were not limited to political aspects but also extended to the financial and economic structure of the organizations in which it participates. The state seeks to ensure that its financial contributions to these bodies are proportionate to the strategic and political returns they achieve for its citizens and its international standing.

Regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council, silent tensions over many regional issues have begun to surface more clearly. Despite continued logistical cooperation, the divergence in views on vital issues has made the idea of "Gulf unity" face its toughest test in decades.

The Emirati public and those following Gulf affairs are awaiting the next steps the government may take after May 1st. The timing carries significant implications, as it coincides with a comprehensive repositioning of major powers in the region and countries seeking alliances that primarily guarantee their direct interests.

Sources indicate that the UAE will not hesitate to make difficult decisions if it finds that its membership in any organization hinders its developmental ambitions. The Emirati model, based on openness and attracting talent, requires a flexible political environment capable of adapting to the rapidly changing global economy.

For its part, the General Secretariat of the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council has not issued any immediate official comments on these developments. However, a state of concern prevails in diplomatic circles about the possibility of these entities fracturing if a country with the economic and political weight of the UAE decides to reduce its role or withdraw.

The question remains about the ability of regional organizations to reform their structures to retain their active members amidst these political storms. The UAE, by hinting at a review, places everyone before their responsibilities to develop the system of joint action in line with the requirements of the twenty-first century.

A rational review of our national priorities is our path to the future, and we will precisely determine who can be relied upon.