Global Public Affairs Newswire – 1 May 2026
Welcome to the latest instalment of FTI Consulting’s fortnightly Global Public Affairs Newswire.
This week, we bring you updates from FTI Public Affairs teams across the world’s major markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, Germany, Brazil, Mozambique, the European Union, Australia, Hong Kong, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates. This week’s update also brings readers market insights from FTI Public Affairs experts from around the world, explaining what these updates mean for your business.
Market updates
King Charles III Welcomed in Washington
- Hegseth on the Hill | Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made the case before Congress for a larger military budget, emphasizing a more assertive US posture toward Iran and positioning Tehran as the central organizing threat in current defense planning. While the hearing at times turned confrontational, he underscored the need for increased funding to bolster readiness and strengthen regional deterrence. His testimony comes amid persistent public concern about U.S. strategy and the downstream effects of the conflict on energy prices and the broader economy.
- White House Correspondents’ Dinner | An attempted attack targeting the president and senior officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has heightened concerns about the normalization of political violence in the United States. The incident has reignited a national debate over the role of political rhetoric and online mobilization in driving threats against public officials.
- The King’s Speech | King Charles III was warmly received in Washington this week, delivering an address before Congress—the first by a British monarch since 1991—that served as a symbolic reaffirmation of the US–U.K. alliance. His remarks emphasized shared priorities on climate, security, and democratic resilience, while subtly reinforcing transatlantic alignment on Ukraine and broader global stability.
“During a particularly volatile and uncertain week in Washington, King Charles III’s visit to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary offered a welcomed if momentary return to a more familiar and stable era.”
Jackson Dunn
Head of Public Affairs, Americas
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in the Americas, please contact [email protected].
Prime Minister Keir Starmer under mounting pressure ahead of local elections
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has avoided an ethics inquiry into whether he misled parliament over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s Ambassador to the US but remains under significant political pressure. The Prime Minister dismissed the Conservative-led attempt to refer him to the House of Commons privileges committee as a political “stunt”, but has faced criticism for whipping Labour MPs to oppose the motion in Parliament. The vote coincided with the Prime Minister’s former Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee in which he conceded that Mandelson’s appointment was “a serious error of judgement”, while denying that he had put pressure on the Prime Minister to make the decision.
- While the Mandelson issue is not seen to be one which is particularly resonant with voters, it has raised significant questions over Starmer’s political judgement and fuelled frustration within the parliamentary Labour Party ahead of the local and devolved elections on May 7th, where Labour is anticipated to suffer heavy losses to both Reform UK and the Green Party. Over the last few weeks, several Cabinet Ministers have sought to distance themselves from Mandelson’s appointment while reaffirming their confidence in the Prime Minister. Yet at Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Starmer refused to rule out that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her post, as rumours of a ministerial reshuffle intensify.
- There is growing speculation that Starmer could face a leadership challenge following a poor performance at the ballot box. For any challenge to succeed, a rival would be required to gain the support of at least 80 willing MPs and, ultimately, win over Labour’s broader membership. Several figures are viewed as potential contenders, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, moderate Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband. While polling suggests that Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, remains one of Labour’s most popular politicians, he would be required to step down from that role and return to Parliament before entering a leadership contest. Despite the speculation, Starmer’s handling of the conflict in the Middle East has been received positively by many Labour backbenchers, suggesting he may retain sufficient support to remain in post for the time being.
“The Prime Minister has been significantly weakened by the Mandelson debacle and pressure on his leadership will intensify after heavy losses at next week’s elections. With no clear successor, it remains to be seen if a formal leadership challenge emerges immediately following the elections, or whether he manages to head it off and make it through to the summer recess.”
Gemma Doyle
Senior Managing Director, United Kingdom
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in the United Kingdom, please contact [email protected].
China pushes back on external regulatory spillovers as global rulemaking intensifies
- China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has raised formal concerns over the proposed revision of the EU Cybersecurity Act, arguing that the introduction of “non-technical risks” and “high-risk suppliers” risks politicizing security standards and excluding certain countries and firms from key sectors such as energy, transport, and ICT. Beijing warns the proposal could breach WTO principles and disrupt global supply chains, while signaling that countermeasures remain an option if Chinese firms face discriminatory treatment.
- China has also submitted comments on the EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, criticizing “EU origin” requirements in procurement and subsidies as de facto barriers to foreign investment. MOFCOM argues that these provisions may be inconsistent with WTO rules and could undermine fair competition and investor confidence, while urging Brussels to revise discriminatory clauses and cautioning that reciprocal measures may follow if Chinese firms are adversely affected.
- In parallel, China has voiced firm opposition to the US MATCH Act and related export control bills, warning that expanded and coordinated restrictions on semiconductor equipment could disrupt global supply chains. These external pressures come as China advances its own regulatory toolkit, including new rules on supply chain security and countering improper extraterritorial jurisdiction, to strengthen risk management and provide a legal basis for potential countermeasures.
“Recent exchanges between China, the EU, and the US highlight a deepening intersection between trade policy and security-driven rulemaking. From Beijing’s perspective, evolving frameworks in Europe and the United States risk extending domestic regulatory preferences into global markets, with implications for market access and competitive neutrality. China’s response, combining formal diplomatic pushback with the rollout of its own supply chain security and counter-extraterritoriality regimes, points to a more structured and reciprocal approach to managing external pressure. For businesses, this signals a shift toward a more contested and legally codified operating environment, where regulatory exposure across jurisdictions is becoming a central strategic consideration alongside traditional market factors.”
Rachel Hsueh
Managing Director and Head of Strategic Communications, China
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in China, please contact [email protected]
New Delhi Issues Cybersecurity Alert to Banks, Telcos After Claude Mythos Launch
- On April 26, India’s nodal cybersecurity agency CERT-In issued a high-severity advisory warning organizations to treat every newly disclosed software vulnerability as exploitable within hours, not weeks, following Anthropic’s April 7 preview of the Claude Mythos AI model. The model reportedly autonomously identified and exploited vulnerabilities that had remained undetected through decades of human review.
- The CERT-in advisory directs organizations to apply critical patches within 24 hours, monitor traffic to external AI tools to prevent use of unsanctioned services, and maintain visibility across software and AI components while ensuring vendors meet rigorous security standards. Indian telcos are also reviewing vendor security practices, in response. The advisory comes amid growing concern over AI-assisted cyberattacks, with the Mythos model, considered too risky for public release, serving as the latest wake-up call for regulators. On April 23, India’s finance minister and IT minister jointly chaired a high-level meeting, describing the newest AI cyber risks to India’s banking sector as “unprecedented,” and calling for a real-time threat intelligence sharing system across banks, CERT-In, and other agencies.
- Banks and telecom operators are ‘data fiduciaries’ under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) laws, and an AI-driven breach via vendor systems would constitute a personal data breach, requiring notification within 72 hours, with penalties of up to USD 21 million. The developments have led to authorities calling for pre-emptive defence, stronger coordination, and real-time monitoring.
“Emerging AI models like Claude Mythos are a wake-up call, a structural shift in cyber risk from human-led threats to autonomous, AI-driven attacks that scale rapidly across systems. As our Trusted Bharat report highlights, India’s critical infrastructure is vulnerable and the public investment into cybersecurity is low, demanding a stronger coordinated approach to cyber resilience. The FTI report recommends a significantly higher investment, including a USD 10 billion National Cyber Resilience Fund, alongside stronger public-private collaboration. The focus must now shift from reactive defence to building anticipatory, system-wide resilience against AI-enabled threats.”
Amrit Singh Deo
Senior Managing Director, India
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in India, please contact [email protected].
Germany approves major healthcare reform package to contain rising insurance costs
- Government moves to stabilise rapidly rising health insurance costs: The German cabinet has approved a wide-ranging reform of the statutory health insurance system (GKV) aimed at addressing a structural increase in healthcare spending. After years of rising contribution rates, the government is seeking to prevent further increases and stabilise the system through a combination of spending controls and financing adjustments. The legislation now moves to parliament for further debate.
- System-wide cost containment affects providers, patients, and public funding: The package introduces broad limits on expenditure growth across the healthcare system, including hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, insurers, and the pharmaceutical sector. Measures include tighter caps on fee increases, higher co-payments for patients, reductions in certain benefits, a higher earnings threshold for insurance contributions and increased cost-containment for patent drugs. At the same time, federal budget support for the system is reduced, shifting part of the adjustment burden across stakeholders.
- Reform highlights broader tension between fiscal sustainability and social protection: The debate reflects a wider structural challenge in Germany’s welfare system, where ageing demographics and rising healthcare demand are increasing long-term fiscal pressure. While the government frames the reform as necessary to maintain affordability and prevent further contribution increases, it also redistributes costs across employers, employees, and patients. The final shape of the reform remains subject to parliamentary negotiations.
“The cabinet decision marks a significant step in addressing the structural cost pressures in Germany’s healthcare system, but also reflects the considerable political pressure on the government to act. As further reforms in areas such as pensions and long-term care are yet to be proposed, delivering this reform has become a test of the coalition’s ability to implement necessary reforms in the German welfare state despite significant backlash and coalition-internal disagreements. Furthermore, it reflects a broader policy challenge seen across advanced economies: maintaining access to high-quality care while ensuring long-term financial sustainability under conditions of rising demand and constrained public budgets.”
Hannah Hückstädt
Director, Germany
For more information about FTI Consulting’s Public Affairs services in Germany, please contact [email protected].
Brazil in a Polarized World
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Barcelona for a series of meetings with left-leaning political leaders, focused less on new policy proposals and more on strengthening international coordination in defense of multilateralism and against the rise of the far right. The initiative reflects an effort to realign and reorganize the global progressive camp, seeking to rebuild political momentum and mobilization capacity. This also comes at a time when Lula faces mounting pressure at home: although he leads in the polls, the race against right-wing candidates remains tight, and his administration is dealing with notable levels of public disapproval, limiting his electoral cushion. In this context, international outreach serves a domestic purpose, projecting political strength abroad to offset a more competitive and polarized environment at home.
- A new diplomatic rift has surfaced between Brazil and the United States, sparked by a legal and political dispute involving a former Brazilian intelligence chief and ally of the Bolsonaro family and convicted for involvement in an attempted coup in 2018. The conflict began after his political asylum request in the US was denied, and he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando. The arrest was facilitated by intelligence provided by a Brazilian Federal Police delegate stationed in the US However, the situation took a sharp political turn when the Trump administration intervened to secure the Bolsonaro ally’s release, and subsequently ordered the Federal Police delegate to leave the country. In response to the expulsion of the Brazilian delegate, the Federal Police Director General revoked the diplomatic credentials of an American immigration officer working within the institution’s headquarters in Brasília – a move President Lula publicly praised as a necessary defense of national standing.
- Brazil’s Lower House is expected to vote soon on a bill establishing a national policy for critical minerals, a move that could shape how the country positions itself in a rapidly shifting global market. The proposal would create a clearer regulatory framework, streamline environmental licensing, and introduce incentives to attract investment while expanding domestic processing and industrial capacity—signaling an effort to move beyond Brazil’s traditional role as a raw material exporter. The debate comes as Brazil gains prominence in the global race for critical minerals, driven by its large reserves of resources essential to clean energy, defense, and advanced technologies, as well as growing interest from major powers such as the United States and China. Yet structural challenges persist, including limited processing capacity, technological gaps, and the absence of a clear long-term strategy. As a result, the legislation is more than regulatory—it will help determine whether Brazil can convert its resource base into geopolitical influence and greater economic value within global supply chains.
“Brazil’s positioning is being shaped by deepening polarization at both the domestic and global levels. Lula’s engagement with left-leaning leaders in Europe reflects an effort to consolidate ideological alliances in an increasingly fragmented international landscape, while the diplomatic clash with the United States shows how even bilateral relations are being pulled into this broader political divide. At home, a tight electoral environment and persistent disapproval constrain room for maneuver, reinforcing the need to project strength abroad. Meanwhile, the push for a critical minerals policy highlights a more structural challenge – whether Brazil can convert its resource base into strategic autonomy in a world where supply chains are also becoming politicized. Taken together, Brazil is not operating above polarization but within it, navigating a context in which domestic and geopolitical divides are mutually reinforcing and increasingly define the limits and possibilities of its international role.”
Natalia Mejia
Director, Brazil
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in Brazil, please contact [email protected].
China’s Strategic Consolidation in Africa: Resources, Security, and Industrial Leverage
- Mozambique’s latest comprehensive agreement with China marks a decisive deepening of Beijing’s strategic footprint in Africa, blending defence cooperation, geological mapping, and industrial investment into a single, coordinated framework. At its core, the deal secures Chinese access to Mozambique’s vast natural gas reserves, estimated at roughly 5 trillion cubic metres in the Rovuma Basin, alongside critical minerals such as graphite, lithium, and rare earths. In exchange, China is offering a tightly integrated package, large-scale infrastructure financing, technical support for resource mapping and extraction, and security assistance in Cabo Delgado, where insurgency has previously stalled major energy projects.
- For Mozambique, the agreement represents both opportunity and risk. On one hand, it provides a pathway to unlock stranded resource wealth through much-needed capital inflows, infrastructure development, and technical expertise, while potentially stabilising conflict-affected regions to enable the resumption of gas projects. If effectively managed, the partnership could catalyse a shift from a purely extractive model toward greater local value addition and industrialisation. On the other hand, structural constraints, including governance weaknesses, inequality, and persistent security risks, raise questions about the country’s capacity to fully capture these gains. Without strong institutional oversight, there is a material risk that benefits remain concentrated, limiting broader developmental impact.
- At a continental level, the Mozambique agreement underscores China’s expanding and increasingly sophisticated role across Africa. Beijing is moving beyond traditional infrastructure financing toward a multidimensional engagement model that integrates trade, industrial policy, and security cooperation. This is reinforced by complementary initiatives such as expanded zero-tariff access for African exports to China, growing investment flows, and deepening bilateral partnerships with key economies like South Africa. Collectively, these efforts position China not just as a financier, but as a systemic economic partner shaping value chains, market access, and development trajectories across the continent. In doing so, China is steadily recalibrating Africa’s geopolitical landscape, challenging the historical dominance of Western actors and embedding itself as a central pillar of the continent’s future growth and strategic alignment.
“China’s Africa strategy is no longer transactional, it is systemic, embedding itself across resources, infrastructure, trade, and security to shape the continent’s long-term economic trajectory. What distinguishes this approach is its deliberate integration, access to strategic resources is paired with infrastructure build-out, underpinned by trade incentives such as zero-tariff regimes, and increasingly secured through defence cooperation. This creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem of influence, where African economies are not only linked to Chinese capital, but also to its markets, industrial value chains, and geopolitical priorities. In this model, partnerships with countries like Mozambique and South Africa are not isolated engagements, they are nodes in a broader architecture through which China is redefining development pathways, supply chains, and power dynamics across the continent.”
Lelo Skosana
Head of Public Affairs, South Africa
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in South Africa, please contact [email protected].
EU institutions sign “One Europe, One Market” roadmap with 2027 delivery target
- Boosting European competitiveness has been one of the key priorities of the EU, in addition to security. The agenda to enhance competitiveness is now becoming concrete. On the sidelines of the informal European Council in Cyprus, the Presidents of the Commission, European Parliament, and Council Presidency signed the “One Europe, One Market Roadmap”, setting out a joint commitment to work toward a fully integrated Single Market.
- The initiative was presented as both a political and operational commitment; the roadmap includes binding timelines for legislative proposals and agreements, quarterly monitoring, and clear institutional responsibilities, with regular stocktaking to ensure delivery.
- Noteworthy is that the roadmap is aligned with the Draghi Report and comes against a backdrop of geopolitical and economic pressures, with a strong focus on boosting competitiveness across five pillars, including simplifying rules, deeper integration, stronger trade, lower energy prices with decarbonisation, and advancing digital and AI transformation. Most notably, the roadmap underscores a tightened interinstitutional coordination to fast-track key files, with all three institutions committing to giving these initiatives the highest political priority.
“There is a broad agreement that the economy of the EU needs to become more competitive. So far, this agenda has been quite high level and there was criticism of lack of progress. The One Europe, One Market roadmap intends to flesh out the details and provide a holistic view of the actions that the EU will take. The fact that the Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission have jointly signed this roadmap gives some confidence that the actions will actually be implemented.”
Hans Hack
Senior Managing Director and Head of Office, Brussels
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in the EU, please contact [email protected]
Federal Budget predictions solidify as date draws near
- Ahead of the 12 May release of the 2026–27 Australian Federal Budget, stakeholders and industry representatives are preparing for a productivity-focused Budget constrained by geopolitical uncertainty and persistent cost-of-living pressures.
- Industry lobbying of Treasurer Jim Chalmers is well underway, with housing and community services representatives calling for significant expansions to social and affordable housing, rent assistance and homelessness prevention funding as Australia grapples with persistent housing shortages.
- The Government has signalled that it is considering winding back tax concessions, most notably by reducing the 50% capital gains discount and tightening negative gearing regulation as part of efforts to improve housing affordability and address intergenerational equity.
- Business and industry representatives are pushing for regulatory simplification, permanent small-business tax concessions and a renewed pathway to broader tax reform rather than abrupt structural changes.
- Last week, the Albanese Government also announced a major reset to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the lead up to the Budget. The overhaul will tighten eligibility (from diagnosis access to functional assessments) and shift around 160,000 people with lower support needs to state-run “foundational supports” to cut rapid growth of the scheme and curb costs.
- Overall, current Budget predictions signal a cautious operating environment focused on productivity, intergenerational equity, defence, clean energy and housing supply, with continued opportunities in government-backed investment and infrastructure programs. In formulating the Budget, the Albanese Government will be aiming to balance cost-of-living relief with policy certainty, ensuring spending is targeted, and long-term investment confidence is not undermined.
“The first Federal Budget since Labor’s re-election last year – and while true reform is an ambitious target, the ‘substantial’ savings measures already announced will have significant and far-reaching implications for everyday Australians. We expect the Budget will strike a careful balance between short-term relief for households and longer-term economic resilience, though, as always, its mix of priorities will inevitably please some and leave others dissatisfied.”
Tara Gasior
Senior Director, Australia
For more information about FTI’s Financial Services Public Affairs support in Australia, please contact [email protected].
SAR government advances first five-year plan with 120 policy studies and coordinated consultation mechanism
- On 24 April, the Hong Kong SAR government outlined progress in drafting its first five-year plan, revealing a coordinated mechanism with the Legislative Council to study 120 policy topics and gather public input ahead of a consultation paper expected this coming quarter. The topics are organized under six broad themes, including economic and financial development, innovation and technology, land and housing with a focus on the Northern Metropolis, regional cooperation, and social development. Hong Kong’s five-year plan is designed to align the city’s medium-term policy direction with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), with both the executive and legislative branches conducting parallel research and consultations to inform policy formulation. The five-year plan serves as a high-level, forward-looking framework, with detailed policy measures to be implemented through existing instruments such as the Policy Address and Financial Budget.
- Within the economic and financial pillar, the government is examining strategies to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international asset and wealth management center amid rising geopolitical risks, alongside efforts to advance financial technology to support “high-quality” growth. A significant focus is placed on the Northern Metropolis, where authorities are exploring more diversified financing models to accelerate development while reducing reliance on public finances. While innovation and technology topics account for the largest share of studies, including attracting global firms to the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and expanding “AI+” applications across sectors. Other areas include strengthening regional integration with the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road markets, as well as applying emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to public services and civic engagement.
“The development of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan signals a more structured and coordinated approach to medium-term policymaking, with closer alignment between government priorities and national development strategies. For the private sector, the breadth of topics under consideration, particularly those in innovation, infrastructure, and financial services, points towards a growing pipeline of policy-led opportunities. At the same time, the emphasis on diversified financing and market participation in projects such as the Northern Metropolis suggests that businesses will be expected to play a proactive role in delivery, with early engagement in the consultation process likely to be important in shaping outcomes.”
Seulah Han
Managing Director, Hong Kong and South Korea
For more information about FTI’s Public Affairs services in Hong Kong, please contact [email protected].
Colombia reshapes pension investment regime: forced asset transfer and foreign investment cap compound business and sovereignty risks in a fragile economic environment
- The Colombian government has issued two decrees that fundamentally reshape the country’s pension investment framework, raising serious business and sovereignty risks against an already fragile economic backdrop.
- The first measure mandates private pension funds to transfer approximately COP 25 trillion in assets to Colpensiones, the state-run pension system, beginning as early as 14 May 2026.
The financial stakes are substantial. Asofondos estimates an accumulated impact exceeding COP 43 trillion on the national pension liability and COP 3.79 trillion in forgone future returns, with assets effectively redirected toward current public spending rather than productive investment. - The transfer mechanics carry additional market risk: forced asset liquidation would pressure portfolio valuations and create arbitrage opportunities, while fiduciary alternatives would strip out the AFPs’ investment management capabilities, either way imposing costs on the more than 19 million workers whose savings are at stake.
- The second decree caps foreign investments by private pension funds at 30% of total portfolio value, down from the current 48–50%, with a five-year transition period.
- This introduces a direct sovereignty risk: the state is coercively redirecting private capital toward domestic assets and “strategic sectors,” constraining diversification and suppressing long-term returns. The cost is concrete, a moderately diversified portfolio from a decade ago would today be worth 37% more than a domestically confined equivalent, a gap that translates directly into lower pension adequacy for Colombian workers.
“The pension asset transfer decree signals a more interventionist and accelerated approach to managing fiscal and social obligations, but also introduces a higher degree of legal and market uncertainty. For companies and financial institutions, the priority should be closely monitoring interest rate dynamics, liquidity conditions, and regulatory developments. Investors, in turn, should assess the implications for sovereign debt stability, savings trends, and the predictability of Colombia’s policy framework as legal challenges unfold.”
Jorge Del Castillo
Managing Director and Head of Strategic Communications, Colombia
For more information about FTI Consulting’s Public Affairs services in Colombia, please contact [email protected].
UAE Announces Its Withdrawal from OPEC+
- On April 28, the United Arab Emirates announced its decision to withdraw from both OPEC and OPEC+, with the move taking effect on May 1, 2026. The organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries — OPEC — is an intergovernmental group of major oil-producing nations, founded in 1960, that coordinates petroleum policies to stabilise prices and supply. OPEC+ is a broader alliance formed in 2016 that brings ten additional oil-exporting countries — most notably Russia — to jointly manage global production levels.
- In a statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Advanced Infrastructure said the decision reflected the nation’s “sovereign responsibility in a new energy age.” It noted that at a time when global energy stability demands “flexible, reliable, and affordable supply,” the UAE was “enhancing flexibility to respond to market dynamics while continuing to contribute to stability in a measured and responsible manner.”
- UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei described the withdrawal as “purely a policy move,” while Dr Sultan Al Jaber, group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), said the UAE “has taken a sovereign decision in line with its long-term energy strategy, its true production capability and its national interest, as well as global energy market stability.”
- The decision carries significant economic and geopolitical implications, particularly given the current regional context. While such a move has long been the subject of speculation among industry observers, the timing and circumstances of the announcement give it particular weight. The statement signals that the UAE intends to ramp up production: under the previous OPEC+ agreement, the country had been capped at roughly three million barrels a day, according to industry sources, while ADNOC has previously set out an ambition to raise crude output to five million barrels by 2027. The UAE is the seventh-largest producer of oil globally.
- The UAE, through the emirate of Abu Dhabi, joined OPEC in 1967 and continued its membership following the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
"The Emirati decision to bring a nearly 60-year membership to a close has been driven by structural and immediate factors. Structural: the nation has for several years been chafing at its quota levels. ADNOC Group, Abu Dhabi’s energy company, set an ambition in 2022 to produce 5 million barrels per day by 2027. The UAE could only sell up to 3.6 million under its OPEC+ quota. Immediate: Hormuz blockades are delivering an oil price relatively insulated from conventional supply-side pressures, and the current supply environment limits the downside risk that might ordinarily accompany a departure of this kind. The UAE's decision comes with the assurance that immediate market reaction will be muted to this seismic development in OPEC's history."
Matt Wickens
Senior Director, UAE
For more information about FTI Consulting’s Public Affairs services in Colombia, please contact [email protected].
Expert Analysis |
UK Public Affairs Snapshot
Published on 15th April 2026, the renewed UK Women’s Health Strategy arrives four years after its predecessor and against a backdrop of perceived lack of progress.
In their latest snapshot, our UK Public Affairs experts share their analysis of the renewed policy, shining a light on what it promises and its implications.
Policy Pulse Podcast
As we look ahead to the second half of 2026, all eyes are on Ireland, which will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. What can we expect from Ireland’s leadership at such a crucial juncture in European history?
In the latest episode of the EU Policy Pulse podcast, our experts came together to explore what the Irish Presidency means for Europe’s future.
University of Navarra Seminar
This week, our Defence & Aerospace Lead, Beatriz Cózar Murillo, joined the University of Navarra seminar ‘The Future of War: Conflict in an Era of Technological Acceleration’ in Madrid as a guest speaker.
Beatriz contributed to the discussion on ‘The EU and changes in warfare: opportunities, obstacles and future possibilities’, sharing perspectives on how Europe can respond to the profound technological, industrial and strategic shifts that are currently reshaping the defence landscape.
Ireland’s EU Presidency Event
As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU in July, we were delighted to host a fireside chat with Tony Connelly, Europe Editor at Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTE, last week.
The conversation offered a timely opportunity to reflect on what this Presidency might mean, not just for Ireland, but for Europe more broadly.
Upcoming Elections
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- 31 May: General Election (Malta)
- 31 May: Presidential election (Colombia)
- 1 June: General election (Ethiopia)
- 3 June: Local elections (Republic of Korea)
- 7 June: Parliamentary elections (Armenia)
- 2 July: Parliamentary elections (Algeria)
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