Khaberni - A UAE official told "Reuters" that the United Arab Emirates is currently reviewing its role and contributions in multilateral organizations, but it is not considering any further withdrawals at the moment.
The official, who preferred not to be named, said that the UAE is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the viability of continuing its membership in various multilateral forums and international organizations.
These statements come amid widespread speculation that Abu Dhabi might withdraw from other regional organizations, primarily the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, following its surprise decision to withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance starting from the first of May.
The UAE's withdrawal, which is one of the largest oil-producing countries within the organization, opens the door to widening disputes with Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of OPEC. After years of close alliance between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, a growing competition has emerged between the two sides, differing in their stances on various issues, ranging from oil policies to regional geopolitical issues, and competing to attract talents and foreign capital.
These statements are part of a broader process of reassessing alliances and partnerships in Abu Dhabi since the outbreak of the war with Iran, amid accusations by the UAE directed at the Gulf Cooperation Council, describing its collective reaction to the conflict as "insufficient."
In this context, prominent UAE official Anwar Gargash stated during his participation in a forum in the UAE on Monday, saying: "It is true that the Gulf Cooperation Council provided logistical support for one another, but in both the political and military aspects, I believe the stance was the weakest historically."
Gargash added: "I expect such a weak stance from the Arab League and I am not surprised by it, but I do not expect it from the Gulf Cooperation Council and I find it surprising."
In a post on the platform "X" dated April 10, Gargash noted that the UAE would provide a precise reading of its regional and international relationships map to determine who can be relied upon in the next phase.
The post stated: "It is premature to derive lessons from the brutal Iranian aggression, yet we proceed in consolidating the state concept that has underpinned the success of the UAE and its model, and we work to enhance our capacity to preserve this homeland and defend it. With confidence born from overcoming treacherous aggression, we will accurately read the map of our regional and international relations and identify whom to rely on, including economic and financial structuring to strengthen the resilience of our model. The rational review of our national priorities is our path to the future."
The UAE is a leading regional hub for business and investments, and it represents one of the most important strategic allies for the United States in the region, where Abu Dhabi has pursued an active foreign policy aimed at expanding its influence across the Middle East and Africa.
Following attacks during the war with Iran, the UAE has intensified its relations with the United States and Israel, with which it established normal diplomatic relations in 2020 under the "Abraham Accords."
The UAE views its partnership with Israel as a channel to enhance its regional influence and as a unique means of communication and coordination with Washington on strategic issues.
