More than 50 countries are set to gather in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first-ever international conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels, as the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights global dependence on coal, oil, and gas.

The meeting, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, stems from frustration with stalled negotiations at United Nations climate talks, where consensus on a fossil fuel exit strategy has remained elusive.

Energy insecurity triggered by the Iran conflict—causing shortages, price spikes, and supply disruptions—has intensified the urgency for transition discussions, even as some countries temporarily turn back to coal to stabilise supply.

Participating nations include major producers like Australia, Canada, and Norway, alongside developing energy players such as Angola, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as coal-reliant economies like Turkey and Vietnam.

However, key global producers—including the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia—will not attend.

Organisers say the conference aims to create a more open platform for dialogue among both producers and consumers, outside the constraints of UN negotiations, with outcomes expected to inform a voluntary global roadmap led by Brazil.

Despite growing investment in clean energy, fossil fuels remain the primary driver of climate change, with global emissions reaching record highs in 2025, underscoring the challenge of transitioning away from them.