Ministers from 60 countries are gathering in Santa Marta, Colombia this week for the first global conference on phasing out fossil fuels, with the United States notably absent from the summit. The Dutch and Colombian-led event comes amid global energy volatility triggered by the Iran war, which has forced governments to ration fuel and reconsider energy dependencies.

The energy crisis has created divergent approaches across nations, with some investing in renewables while others may expand coal reserves. Major fossil fuel producers like Canada, Nigeria, Norway and Brazil plan to attend, though China, India, Russia and oil-dependent Gulf nations are skipping the gathering. California Governor Gavin Newsom will speak at the conference.

The Trump administration has rejected the climate transition, calling it "destructive" after withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Energy experts warn the Iran war presents new challenges for climate efforts, as countries may prioritize energy security over clean energy. High-level discussions conclude Wednesday, with organizers hoping to influence the upcoming UN climate summit in Turkey.