Ministers and envoys from nearly 60 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, this week for the first global conference focused specifically on transitioning away from oil, gas and coal, as governments wrestle with how to cut fossil fuel dependence without deepening economic hardship in poorer producer nations. The meeting, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, comes amid frustration that U.N. climate talks have struggled to make meaningful progress on fossil fuels, despite their central role in driving global warming.
The summit has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened energy insecurity, with oil prices climbing sharply during the Iran conflict and exposing the geopolitical risks of continued dependence on fossil fuels. Yet for developing countries that rely heavily on oil and gas revenues, the path away from fossil fuels remains fraught.
Nigeria and Senegal were among the countries urging a more measured approach. Speaking in Santa Marta, Nigerian adviser Onuoha Magnus Chidi said the goal should be a “phase down,” not an abrupt phaseout, stressing that any transition must be fair and carefully planned to prevent job losses and economic disruption. Senegal’s representative, Serigne Momar Sarr, similarly said his country recognised the need for transition but would continue using gas for power, industry and exports while gradually expanding cleaner energy.
Major fossil fuel powers including the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia did not attend. While the conference is not expected to produce binding commitments, participants hope it will generate practical roadmaps for countries willing to move faster on a just and managed decline of fossil fuel use.
