First Conference on Fossil Fuels: "We chose to focus on countries willing to transition" (Netherlands)

"We hope that the countries participating, which represent around 30% of the global market energy combined, and around 20% of the global supply for energy, will give a very strong signal that they are continuing their work on a transition away from fossil fuels towards a more renewable-based energy system", declares Bastiaan Hassing, Head of Unit International Climate Policy at the Dutch Ministry for Climate and Green Growth, in an ENVI ordinary meeting on 15/04/2026.

The first International Conference on the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, co-organised by Columbia and the Netherlands, will take place in Santa Marta (Colombia) from 24/04 to 29/04/2026. A delegation of the European Parliament will participate in the event, alongside 46 nations who confirmed their presence. Missing countries include big emitters and oil producers, like the U.S., China, India, Algeria, Russia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

"Columbia and the Netherlands chose to focus on countries that in some shape or form are already working on this transition, either through the membership of the European Oil and Gas…