The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially exited the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ grouping, a move described by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), as a sovereign decision not aimed at any specific entity. Speaking at the Make It In The Emirates (MIITE 2026) event in Abu Dhabi, Al Jaber emphasized the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global economic stability, stating that it must never be 'held hostage' or used for coercive purposes. The strait, which accounts for 20% of the world's oil supply, has faced increased tensions, particularly following a drone attack on an ADNOC tanker by Iranian drones, which the UAE government condemned as a terrorist act and a violation of international maritime law. Al Jaber warned that any disruption in the strait would have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the Gulf region but the global economy as a whole. In light of these challenges, the UAE is prioritizing domestic investments to bolster its infrastructure and defense capabilities while maintaining its international commitments through its sovereign wealth funds.