Around 60 countries are taking part in a landmark conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, aimed at accelerating the phase‑out of fossil fuels – an issue that has stalled negotiations in the United Nations climate framework.
Colombia’s environment minister, Irene Velez Torres, is hosting the gathering, which runs parallel to the UN‑led COP talks. Velez Torres, a former mining and energy minister, said the participating nations represent “a new power” as they together account for roughly half of the world’s population, including both energy‑producing and energy‑consuming states.
The conference, the first of its kind, draws a mix of major fossil‑fuel producers and vulnerable countries from the Global South and North. However, the world’s largest emitters – the United States, China and Russia – are absent. When asked whether their non‑attendance undermines the event’s credibility, Velez Torres argued that the focus should be on the 50‑plus nations present, which can develop practical solutions without waiting for a joint declaration from the biggest polluters.
Velez Torres acknowledged growing frustration with the limitations of the annual COP summits, describing multilateralism as “in crisis” but insisting it should be reshaped to be more inclusive of civil society and less dominated by industry lobbying. She warned that the consensus‑based decision‑making at COPs often gives a de‑facto veto to countries that oppose stronger action on fossil fuels.
Key outcomes expected from the Santa Marta meeting include the launch of a new scientific panel dedicated to the energy transition. The panel will provide guidance to cities, regions and coalitions on creating “roadmaps” for decarbonisation. A comprehensive report synthesising inputs from governments, civil society, the private sector and trade unions will be produced and submitted to the presidencies of COP30 and COP31 as part of a global roadmap for ending reliance on fossil fuels.
Colombia, which is itself a significant coal and oil producer, has pledged not to sign new hydrocarbon contracts or expand coal mining. Minister Velez Torres highlighted recent shifts in the national economy: in 2025, export earnings from coffee and other agricultural products surpassed those from coal, and renewable energy – particularly solar – generated more electricity than coal for the first time.
The conference underscores a growing coalition of nations seeking to move beyond fossil fuels despite the absence of the largest emitters. It aims to create actionable frameworks that can feed into forthcoming UN climate negotiations, signalling a potential re‑orientation of international climate governance.
