The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as of Friday, May 1.

The decision, which the UAE said is motivated by a desire for greater flexibility in its own oil production and exports, comes as the war in Iran has created a worldwide energy crisis.

These McGill experts are available to comment:

Julian Karaguesian, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Economics, has expertise in international trade, tariffs and international macroeconomic policy.

Julian.karaguesian [at] mcgill.ca (English, French, German)

Jamal Saghir, Professor of Practice, Institute for the Study of International Development, can speak about energy and geopolitics in the Middle East and North Africa.

jamal.saghir [at] mcgill.ca (English, French, Arabic) (please note Prof. Saghir is currently in Lebanon, so you may anticipate a time difference for interviews)