Big news: Colombia Announces First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels

Dear Guy,

I’m writing from the UN General Assembly with a major update in our global effort pushing for the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty. I wanted to make sure you were one of the first to hear the news.

During the United Nations General Assembly happening this week in New York City, the Government of Colombia has just announced its plan to host the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels in April 2026 — a bold and historic step that will bring world leaders together to plan how to end the era of oil, gas, and coal extraction fast and fairly.

For the first time, countries will gather to explicitly confront the root cause of the climate crisis head-on: the fossil fuel industry. This summit will complement the Paris Agreement with a major forum of governments ready to take decisive action - a space where leading governments, communities, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and campaigners will collectively chart a path away from fossil fuels, toward a future that is just, fair, and renewable, without blockers in the room.

This moment didn’t come out of nowhere. It is the direct result of years of pressure, organising, and momentum driven by people like you - individuals who refused to accept that fossil fuels could continue unchecked while the world burns. With over 1 million individuals, 4000+ civil society organisations, and 135 cities and subgovernments calling on governments to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty, the world is finally listening. 

Because of our collective efforts in building momentum behind this proposal, the 17 countries participating in discussions to develop a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty have agreed that a series of diplomatic conferences starting in 2026 would be the first step towards advancing the development of a treaty. Colombia has now announced they will host the first conference in April 2026.

But this is just the beginning.

Bringing this conference to life - ensuring it’s inclusive, particularly for governments and communities from the Global South - will take serious resources. We’re working around the clock to support Colombia and the bloc of countries participating in the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative on their diplomatic engagement, conference logistics, and an international media and advocacy campaign around this milestone to ensure it can help shift global narrative, norms and, ultimately, policies on fossil fuels. That’s where we need your help.

Will you donate today to our Fund for the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels to help us make this summit a real turning point for climate justice?

Over the past year, Colombia has hosted major international summits on air pollution with the WHO, and on Palestine with the Hague Group, becoming a leading convenor of governments wanting to protect life on Earth from urgent threats. Now they are planning a similar major conference focused on fostering international cooperation on a phase-out of fossil fuels. Our global network has helped make this possible, and now they need our support to make it as impactful as possible. 

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing key actions you can take to support governments leading on a phase out of coal, oil and gas and the development of a Fossil Fuel Treaty, including this crucial conference in Colombia next April. There will be ways to support from every corner of the world, encouraging governments to attend, supporting civil society actions, and amplifying demands on social media. 

For now – we’re asking individuals to consider making a contribution to support the logistical effort of a major international conference to address fossil fuels. Every contribution will help cover costs so that governments, Indigenous leaders, trade unions and civil society – particularly leaders from the Global South – can join this urgent conversation on the path toward a fossil free future. 

The world has used urgent meetings of governments to initiate treaty negotiations that have addressed major global threats in the past – from phasing out landmines, to protecting the ozone, or banning nuclear weapons. With your help, and the powerful leadership of Colombia and a growing group of countries, we can do it again to tackle the threat of fossil fuels.   

Let’s seize this moment. Let’s protect what we love.

With gratitude and determination,

Tzeporah Berman
Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative