Why Is OAPEC in News?
OAPEC is in news after the United Arab Emirates withdrew from the organization in May 2026, following its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+. The UAE’s exit has brought renewed attention to the difference between OAPEC, OPEC and OPEC+ and their roles in the global petroleum industry.
OAPEC is also preparing its 2026 symposium on reducing carbon emissions in petroleum downstream industries, scheduled for 14–15 October 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What Is OAPEC?
- OAPEC stands for Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries. It was established in 1968 in Beirut by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Libya. Its main purpose is to promote cooperation among Arab petroleum-exporting countries, particularly in economic and petroleum-related activities.
- Unlike OPEC, OAPEC does not function as the main organization for coordinating members’ oil-production policies. Its activities include cooperation, petroleum-industry development, research, statistics and energy-related projects.
- OAPEC is headquartered in Kuwait.
What Is OPEC?
- OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. It was established in 1960 at Baghdad by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
- Its objective is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among its member countries and promote stability in the international oil market.
- OPEC is therefore a global intergovernmental organization, whereas OAPEC is a regional Arab organization.
What About OPEC+?
OPEC+ is different from both OPEC and OAPEC. It is a wider cooperation framework involving OPEC members and major non-OPEC oil producers such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Oman. In September 2026, seven key OPEC+ countries decided to keep their October production levels unchanged, with another meeting scheduled for 4 October 2026.
Thus:
OAPEC → Arab petroleum cooperation
OPEC → Petroleum policy coordination
OPEC+ → OPEC + selected non-OPEC producers
Geographic Significance
The distinction between OAPEC and OPEC is important for understanding global energy geography.
OAPEC reflects the concentration of major petroleum-producing countries in the Arab world, particularly the Persian Gulf region. OPEC, meanwhile, connects major oil-producing regions including the Middle East, Africa and South America. Together with OPEC+, these organizations demonstrate how the geography of oil reserves, production, exports and transportation influences the global energy market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is OAPEC the same as OPEC?
No. OAPEC is a regional Arab petroleum organization, while OPEC is a global intergovernmental organization coordinating petroleum policies.
2. Is Saudi Arabia a member of both OAPEC and OPEC?
Yes. Saudi Arabia is a member of both organizations.
3. Is OPEC+ an organization like OPEC?
OPEC+ is a broader cooperation framework between OPEC members and participating non-OPEC oil-producing countries; it is not the same as OAPEC.
