DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates is undertaking a comprehensive review of its participation in multilateral organizations, a senior official confirmed on Wednesday, but ruled out any immediate plans for further withdrawals following its shock exit from OPEC.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the country is broadly assessing the utility of its memberships. The statement comes amid widespread speculation that Abu Dhabi might also leave the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after announcing its departure from OPEC and OPEC+, effective May 1.
Reassessment Fueled by Geopolitical Strains
The review is part of a broader realignment of alliances since the onset of the Iran war. Abu Dhabi has been critical of the GCC’s response to the conflict, which it described as inadequate.
“It is true that, logistically, the GCC countries supported each other, but politically and militarily, I think their position was the weakest in history,” senior UAE official Anwar Gargash told a conference on Monday. “I expected such a weak position from the Arab League, and I am not surprised by it, but I have not expected it from the GCC, and I am surprised by it.”
Strategic Autonomy as a Guiding Principle
Gargash had previously signaled the UAE would “scrutinize” its regional and international relationships to “determine who can be relied upon,” pairing that review with steps to bolster the nation’s economic and financial strength. “Strategic autonomy remains the UAE’s enduring choice,” Gargash has stated.
The UAE, a major business hub and a key U.S. ally, has long pursued an assertive foreign policy, carving out a distinct sphere of influence across the Middle East and Africa. This latest move underscores a growing trend of the nation prioritizing its own strategic interests over traditional bloc alignments.
