Colombia to host conference on treaty to phase out fossil fuels
The Colombian government, with the support of Vanuatu, will hold the first international conference on a treaty to phase out fossil fuels. The conference is scheduled for April 2026.
The proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty aims to support the rapid expansion of renewable energy, prevent the expansion of the coal, oil, and gas sectors, and equitably phase out existing fossil fuel production.
The proposal has the backing of 16 countries and a broad coalition of civil society groups.
the production and consumption of fossil fuels “may constitute an internationally wrongful act attributable to that state”
In July, an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice stated that the production and consumption of fossil fuels “may constitute an internationally wrongful act attributable to that state” and suggested those adversely affected could be entitled to “reparations”. The case originated as an initiative by students in Fiji and was supported by the governments of Vanuatu, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the United Nations.
22nd September 2025 – New York City – During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) starting this week in New York City, Colombia proudly announces its plan to host the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels in April 2026. The landmark conference will provide a global platform for countries to cooperate on strategies to phase out oil, gas and coal extraction, complementing and reinforcing the Paris Agreement. It also aligns with the historic International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO), which recognizes States’ legal obligation to protect the climate, including by addressing fossil fuel production.
The decision to convene this conference was reached by the 17 countries participating in discussions to develop a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Participating nations agreed to advance a series of diplomatic conferences starting in 2026, with the goal of fostering international cooperation for a just transition away from fossil fuels.
Hon. Irene Vélez Torres, Minister in Charge of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, said: “Colombia is proud to host the First International Conference for the Phase-out of Fossil Fuels in 2026. This historic gathering will be a pivotal moment for the Global South to lead the charge in transforming our energy systems and addressing the intertwined crises of climate and justice. Together, we will chart a path that prioritizes life, equity, and sustainability over destruction and inequality. This is our moment, our mandate—to build a future beyond fossil fuels and ensure reparative justice for all.”
Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management of Vanuatu, said: “For vulnerable nations like Vanuatu and our other Small Island States, the phase-out of fossil fuels is not merely an environmental imperative, it is an existential one. This conference represents a pivotal step towards forging a common roadmap, ensuring that no community or nation is left behind as we build a resilient, sustainable future that protects our people, our economies, and our planet.”
Tzeporah Berman, Founder and Co-Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “This announcement from Colombia signals a bold and necessary step towards climate leadership. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty is gaining momentum, and this conference offers a vital opportunity to translate growing support into concrete action, accelerating our shift towards a more sustainable and just energy future for all.”
The major conference will serve as a strategic space for dialogue among diverse stakeholders across all sectors — including government representatives, experts, rural and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, civil society, climate advocates, industry leaders, and academia — to explore viable, fair, and equitable pathways for transitioning to sustainable, diversified and accessible energy. Focused on fostering robust and structural transformations, the summit aims to facilitate a planned, just, and sustainable phase-out of fossil fuels.
This announcement marks the first political step towards the formal launch of the conference, with further details to be unveiled at COP30 in Belém. During a High-Level Ministerial Meeting, participating nations will outline the contours of the 2026 conference, and issue a joint political declaration, solidifying their commitment to decisive action in confronting the climate crisis: through a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, one that recognizes the need for a structural shift in our socioeconomic model.
The idea of a global conference builds upon successful examples of previous diplomatic summits that have led to increased international cooperation and treaty negotiations to address major global threats including the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Process); the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Oslo Process); and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, for which a series of three conferences, known as the Humanitarian Initiative, shifted the framing of nuclear weapons from one of security to a humanitarian discourse, leading to successful treaty negotiations within the UN General Assembly.
This announcement comes at a critical moment, amplified by the release of the 2025 Production Gap Report today. The findings reveal a stark misalignment between global fossil fuel production plans and the levels essential to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. According to the report, government projections for 2030 indicate fossil fuel production will surpass Paris Agreement-compliant levels by more than 120%, and by 2050, production is expected to exceed necessary levels by 4.5 times for a 1.5°C pathway. This systemic failure to reduce fossil fuel production demands even more drastic future cuts to meet Paris targets, underscoring the urgent need for a swift and decisive global transition away from fossil fuels.
Momentum is growing behind the call to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty. In addition to the 17 participating nation-states, the initiative has also been supported by 135 cities and subnational governments, the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, over 1 million individuals including 101 Nobel laureates and 850 elected officials, 37 Indigenous communities from the Amazon, Kenya and India, 4000 civil society organisations and 3000 scientists.
About the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. For more information on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and proposal, access here. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative