A major international conference focused on accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels has opened today in Colombia, bringing together governments, industry leaders and climate advocates at a critical moment for global energy policy.
Running through to Wednesday 29 April, the summit is expected to address some of the most pressing questions facing the energy transition—from phasing out oil and gas production to scaling renewables, financing climate action and ensuring a just transition for developing economies.
The gathering comes amid growing tension between climate commitments and continued fossil fuel expansion, with recent shareholder revolts, policy shifts and market volatility highlighting the challenges of aligning economic and environmental priorities.
Key themes to watch:
- Commitments to phase down or phase out fossil fuels
- Financing mechanisms for the Global South
- The role of oil and gas companies in the transition
- Scaling renewables and grid infrastructure
- Just transition frameworks for workers and communities
We’ll be providing live updates, analysis and key takeaways throughout the duration of the summit.
Latest
Saturday 25th of April 2026
16:30 GMT
Naidoo spoke as a new global scientific panel on the energy transition was launched in Santa Maria:
16:20 GMT
The former Greenpeace International Chief Executive, Kumi Naidoo, now with Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative have laid out what he see as the clear path forward:
12:20 GMT
The conference in Colombia is happening in the shadow of the global energy crisis caused due to the conflict in the Middle East.
You can follow the latest developments and updates in our live blog below:
09:45 GMT
The conference which is jointly hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands have confirmed the below countries as participants, a list that could still increase:
- Angola
- Australia
- Austria
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- European Union
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Senegal
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Türkiye
- Tuvalu
- United Kingdom
- Tanzania
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
09:30 GMT
While we are waiting for the first updates to come in from Colombia, over 50 countries are expected to join the discussions, in what resembles a movement that has continued to grow since it was fits announced during the closing days of COP30 last year.
Friday 24th of April 2026
23:00 GMT
The conference opening today in Santa Marta in Colombia brings together governments, international organisations and industry leaders to accelerate efforts to move the global economy away from coal, oil and gas.
It was announced in the backdrop of the COP30 summit amidst the frustration in uniting UN member countries to commit to the phasing out of fossil fuels.
While it is unlikely any agreements will be made in this first summit, but the ambition is to lay the guidelines and start to build the bridges to get commitments and build up momentum for phasing out fossil fuels.
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