Ministers from nearly 60 countries are meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, for what organizers describe as the first global conference dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels. The United States was not invited, reflecting deep policy divisions after President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the Paris climate agreement and rejected international climate initiatives. A White House spokeswoman called the shift to clean energy 'destructive' and said the administration would not participate in what it described as a climate agenda.

The summit comes amid a global energy crisis triggered by war involving Iran, which has disrupted oil and gas supplies and driven up prices. While some nations see the turmoil as a reason to accelerate investment in renewable energy, others are considering expanding domestic fossil fuel production, including coal, to strengthen energy security. Experts say the crisis has complicated efforts to build consensus around cutting emissions.

Led by Colombia and the Netherlands, the gathering aims to form a coalition of countries willing to advance the transition away from coal, oil and gas despite resistance from major producers. Participants include members of the European Union, several Latin American nations and Pacific island states, along with some fossil fuel producers such as Canada, Nigeria and Brazil. Organizers hope the discussions will influence negotiations at the next United Nations climate summit in Turkey.