Bogotá — At least 45 countries have confirmed participation in a landmark international conference in Colombia aimed at accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels, officials said.
The “First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels,” co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, will be held in the coastal city of Santa Marta from April 24 to 29.
Colombia’s Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Irene Vélez Torres said the participating nations reflect a broad cross-section of the global fossil fuel supply chain, accounting for about one-fifth of worldwide production and nearly one-third of consumption.
The conference is expected to bring together government delegations, experts, indigenous representatives, youth, academics and international organisations, in what organisers describe as the first global forum dedicated solely to coordinating a transition away from fossil fuels.
“President Gustavo Petro has called on the world to take a historic step toward phasing out fossil fuels,” Vélez said, adding that more than 2,600 organisations and communities have already engaged through sector-based virtual dialogues ahead of the summit.
Countries highly vulnerable to climate change, including Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Palau, will join major hydrocarbon producers such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and Australia.
A wide range of producer and consumer nations from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas have also confirmed attendance, including Germany, Brazil, France, Mexico, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
The European Commission as well as the presidencies of COP30 and COP31 are also set to take part, underscoring the global scope of the meeting.
Vélez said participants share a common urgency to act on scientific evidence and advance coordinated efforts to phase out coal, oil and gas production and consumption.
“Despite our differences, there is agreement on the need to prioritise science and move forward urgently and collectively,” she said.
The minister described the gathering as taking place at a critical moment for global climate diplomacy and energy security, with the aim of fostering concrete agreements and stronger international cooperation among countries with differing economic and energy realities.
Organisers say the summit will also serve as a platform to launch a new international coalition focused on implementing a fossil fuel transition through direct and transparent dialogue.
The Colombian government has stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure high-level participation and ensure the inclusion of indigenous communities, civil society and academia, aiming to translate discussions into actionable outcomes.
