Colombia will host an international summit in April that will bring together 45 countries with a specific goal: to advance toward the elimination of fossil fuels.
The meeting, which will be held in Santa Marta, aims to move from rhetoric to real commitments at a time when the climate crisis and energy volatility are pushing for faster decisions at the global level.
The gathering comes with a clear ambition: to promote an alliance of countries willing to set timelines, reduce dependence on oil, gas, and coal, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
The Colombian government intends for this summit to mark a turning point in a debate that for years has been dominated by statements without binding measures.
Colombia to host global summit on phasing out fossil fuels
The so-called Conference for the Energy Transition: Beyond Fossil Fuels will take place from April 24 to 29 and will bring together governments, international organizations, experts, companies, and social organizations. Unlike other climate meetings, the focus will be on concrete decisions rather than just general commitments.
The central proposal is the creation of an international coalition to drive the gradual elimination of fossil fuels. This would involve setting verifiable targets, defined timelines, and monitoring mechanisms to measure real progress. The aim is to fill the gap left by major global summits, where a firm consensus on phasing out hydrocarbons has so far not been achieved.
Colombia is thus seeking to position itself as a coordinator of a bloc that pushes for more ambitious changes in the international climate agenda. The idea is for participating countries not only to share assessments, but also to leave with commitments that can be translated into concrete public policies.
Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia, confirmed the summit and highlighted its focus. “We are heading to the summit on the elimination of fossil fuels in Colombia. The decarbonization of the economy is essential for human existence,” he said on his account on the social media platform X.
Vamos a la cumbre sobre la eliminación de los combustibles fósiles en Colombia.
La descarbonización de la economía es fundamental para la existencia humana https://t.co/ARdjJi3RoN
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 29, 2026
45 countries at a critical moment
The participation of 45 countries reflects the growing political weight of the energy transition. Among the attendees will be both nations driving renewable energy and economies still dependent on oil and gas, foreshadowing intense debates over the pace and conditions of the shift.
The international context adds urgency. Recent geopolitical conflicts have exposed the fragility of energy systems based on fossil fuels, while the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible. In that scenario, the summit will seek answers to key questions: how to reduce dependence without affecting economic stability, and how to finance the transition, especially in developing countries.
One of the central points will be the discussion of fossil fuel subsidies and their possible gradual elimination. Issues such as access to international financing, debt restructuring, and the need for a just transition that protects the most vulnerable populations will also be addressed.
The meeting is expected to conclude with a document that will serve as a basis for future global negotiations. More than a formal agreement, the goal is to establish a roadmap to guide countries toward the decarbonization of their economies.
Colombia and its bid to lead the transition
The organization of this summit is part of the Colombian government’s strategy to take on a more visible role in the global climate agenda. The bet is ambitious: to promote a shift in the economic model that reduces dependence on revenues from oil and coal.
That goal, however, poses internal challenges. Colombia still finances a significant portion of its budget through hydrocarbon exports, creating tensions between environmental urgency and economic stability. In this context, the energy transition is not only a technical discussion, but also a political and social one.
The government insists that the country can become a regional benchmark in clean energy, taking advantage of its potential in sources such as solar and wind. But the success of that effort will depend on the ability to attract investment, generate jobs, and ensure that the changes do not deepen existing inequalities.
The April summit will, in that sense, be a test of leadership. It will not only measure Colombia’s ability to bring together relevant actors, but also its capacity to drive agreements that go beyond the event and have a real impact on transforming the global energy system.