Around 60 countries have gathered in Colombia for an unprecedented global conference aimed at accelerating the phaseout of fossil fuels — an issue that has long stalled progress in UN climate negotiations.
The event, hosted by Colombia’s Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres, brings together nations pushing for faster climate action despite gridlock in traditional COP summits. The talks are taking place in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta and are scheduled to run alongside preparatory ministerial discussions on climate transition.
The initiative has attracted a mix of fossil fuel producers and climate-vulnerable countries, but major emitters such as the United States, China, and Russia are absent from the meeting.
Vélez Torres described the gathering as the emergence of a “new power,” arguing that countries representing nearly half of the world’s population can still shape meaningful solutions without waiting for consensus from the largest polluters.
She noted that frustration with the structure of UN climate talks has contributed to the creation of parallel platforms, citing limitations such as lobbying influence and the consensus-based system that often blocks ambitious fossil fuel transition language.
Organisers say the conference will focus on practical outcomes, including the launch of a scientific panel to guide energy transition strategies for governments, cities, and institutions, rather than binding international agreements.
Colombia, under President Gustavo Petro, is also positioning itself as a case study in transition, highlighting policies such as halting new hydrocarbon exploration and expanding renewable energy development while managing its dependence on coal and oil exports.
The outcome of the talks is expected to be presented as input for future global climate negotiations, including COP30 and COP31 discussions.
