More than 50 nations are gathering in Colombia next week for the first global conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels, as the war in Iran highlights the world’s continued dependence on coal, oil, and gas.
Ministers will meet in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta amid an energy crisis marked by fuel shortages, soaring prices, and a scramble for energy security. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as the biggest oil supply shock ever, triggered by Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for Gulf oil and gas shipments.
The conference was conceived out of frustration with the slow progress of United Nations climate talks, where negotiations on a fossil fuel exit strategy have stalled. Organisers argue that the current energy shock has strengthened the case for a phaseout, even as some countries temporarily turn to coal to secure supplies.
Energy security concerns are expected to shape the high-level discussions on April 28 and 29 as much as climate priorities, according to analysts. Colombia’s environment minister, Irene Velez Torres, said the event had taken on “greater relevance” in light of the crisis.
Major fossil fuel producers such as Australia, Canada, and Norway are expected to attend, alongside developing oil exporters Angola, Mexico, and Brazil, and coal-reliant emerging markets Turkey and Vietnam. Dozens of other countries, from small island states to major economies including Germany, France, and the UK, will also be present.
However, the world’s largest coal, oil, and gas producers—the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia—are not attending.
The meeting will be closely watched for political signals from an emerging coalition of fossil fuel producers and consumers pushing for a phaseout outside the UN process. Colombia, a coal and oil exporter, said the participating countries account for one-fifth of global fossil fuel production and nearly one-third of consumption.
Some have questioned the involvement of producer nations, citing concerns over fossil fuel interests influencing climate negotiations. Climate scientist Bill Hare of Climate Analytics said a larger group of countries could dilute the chances of a sharp outcome. Velez Torres, however, called it a “major step forward” to have producer countries addressing what has been a “taboo” subject.
For some participants, the conference’s appeal lies partly in its distance from the UN climate talks. Maina Talia, climate minister of low-lying Tuvalu, said the Santa Marta meeting was “long overdue.”
While roughly twice as much investment now goes into clean energy as fossil fuels, emissions from burning coal, oil, and gas rose again in 2025 to a record high. In response to the energy crisis, some countries are ramping up coal use to plug short-term supply gaps, underlining the challenge of reducing reliance on fossil fuels even in advanced economies.
Vanuatu’s Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the crisis was “unequivocally a call to lessen dependence on fossil fuels for everyone.” Nearly 200 countries agreed at COP28 in 2023 to transition away from fossil fuels, but efforts to turn that pledge into action have faced strong resistance.
Tensions at COP30 in Brazil in November saw nations unable to agree even to include an explicit reference to fossil fuels in the final deal. Beth Walker of the E3G think tank said Santa Marta was less a rival to the UN talks than an opportunity for motivated nations “to take concrete steps forward.”
No major announcements are expected, but the conference’s recommendations will feed into a voluntary “roadmap” away from fossil fuels being led by Brazil.
