Prof Elisa Morgera Joins Global Conversations at Santa Marta

The Santa Marta Conference, held on 28–29 April 2026 and co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, brought together governments, unions, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and civil society groups to advance a fair global transition away from coal, oil, and gas. Organised outside the formal UN COP process amid growing frustration with the slow pace of international climate negotiations, the conference created an important political space focused specifically on moving beyond fossil fuel dependence while ensuring that climate action respects human rights, social justice, and the needs of developing economies.

In addition to the event co-organized by the Colombian Ministers of Environment and of Agriculture, Elisa, in collaboration with United Nations Human Rights Office, organized a session on human rights and alliance building for over 200 people attending the Peoples’ Summit in Santa Marta, sharing key messages and approaches explored at the Durham Conference held in the lead up to Santa Marta.

Professor Elisa Morgera reflected "The Durham discussions helped lay the groundwork for conversations in Colombia by bringing together experts and advocates to reflect on the human rights dimensions of fossil fuel phase-out and pathways towards a just transition."

An insightful reflection on Santa Marta can be found at Drilled analysis of the Santa Marta Conference, which highlights the significance of the conference as an emerging alternative space for international climate diplomacy and alliance-building. An interview with Elisa in Spanish is also available at Actualidad Ambiental interview with Elisa Morgera.

Elisa has also been invited by the United Nations and Pacific regional organizations to contribute to the Pacific Climate Justice and Sea-level Rise Week in Fiji from 25–28 May 2026, contributing to regional reflections on the implementation of the ICJ Opinion on State obligations on climate change.