Colombia has made climate diplomacy history by becoming the first nation to organize an international summit on the global phase-out of fossil fuels, which will take place in Colombia in April 2026. This summit seeks to fast-track the transition from coal, oil, and gas, and is also in line with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. The summit will be called the International Conference on Fossil Fuel Phase-Out. It will be held in the Colombian capital and will welcome presidents, ministers, climate negotiators, and leaders of civil society.
The first time an international forum will be dedicated to the managed phase-out of fossil fuel production and consumption
Colombia’s ability to host and lead the summit demonstrates the country’s increasing profile in climate diplomacy and climate-positive outlook. Colombia is demonstrating support for the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative by joining the coalition for a global treaty to stop new fossil fuel projects and promote energy reforms for clean alternatives.
As a result of the summit, Colombia is now emerging as a focal point for fossil fuel producers as well as advocates for rapid decarbonization.
The April 2026 conference will be constructed around 3 main focal points for discussion:
- Creating a global framework for phase-out: Delegates will consider how to adopt a strategic and equitable fossil fuel production decline, including new legally binding frameworks and other global inter-state contracts grounded on non-proliferation treaty frameworks.
- Mobilizing finance for a just transition: This is an essential part of the discussion. The focus is on securing financial support and targeted economic transfer for communities and workers who are being left behind as climate action is being adopted. Social protection and economic diversification are essential for climate-positive actions.
- Deployment of renewable energy will be centered at the summit: The summit will center around how to increase investments in clean energy technologies, a modernized grid, and energy efficiency improvements in the Global South.
Who is expected to attend the summit?
The summit is expected to draw diverse stakeholders, including:
- Nations desiring to show climate leadership
- International entities (e.g., UN, Multilateral Development Banks)
- Civilians and indigenous representatives seeking climate and human rights justice
- Private sector entities seeking to invest in renewable energy and other green technologies.
While there is an invitation to all, there will be special emphasis on partitioning climate justice (equity) and climate change mitigation, which is expected to be the most contentious coordinates of the summit, especially for coal-dependent economies. They will likely expect climate change mitigation to be one-sided (with developing countries bearing the greatest burden).
There is increased focus on climate change and its impacts; there is also an increase in the production of fossil fuels, which is likely to impede efforts to keep warming to 1.5 °C. There are several recent reports on possible extreme weather events and other climate change impacts and the focus of the summit on supply-side controls is meant to close an important gap in international climate governance.
Developing countries will be expected to accept the most concessions
The Bogota summit might be able to carve out a roadmap to a global fossil fuel phase-out. Bogota might be able to set timelines, outline financing frameworks, and create mechanisms to be held accountable.
If this is accomplished, a staple would be taken within climate diplomacy as the focus would be shifted to an energy system covering global-scale surgical and transformation, and away from piecemeal interval/ incremental emissions reduction.
These economies have historically driven climate change and will expect the most in change. The world, and Colombia, is able to deal with the new global climate crisis with this new age of diplomacy. Colombia can promote its new diplomatic approach to fossil fuel diplomacy.
