Bonn, June 16, 2025 – This week, senior officials representing the 16 nations participating in discussions on a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty met in Bonn ahead of the 62nd session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Subsidiary Bodies (SB 62). The Third Senior Officials Meeting, chaired by Tuvalu, discussed progress made so far, and strategies to further advance the proposal. The meeting attracted observers from other governments in Africa and Asia, signaling growing interest among nations in joining discussions on how to enhance international cooperation for a just transition away from fossil fuels. 

Chair of the Meeting, Sunema Simati, Deputy Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Tuvalu said: “The Senior Officials of the nations participating in discussions on a Fossil Fuel Treaty showcases the powerful leadership of Small Island Developing States in the fight against climate change. Having fossil fuel producing nations of the Global South as part of our bloc of nations allows us to build the foundation of meaningful discussions on a just energy transition and we, as nations, are grateful to the Treaty Team for convening this Meeting. Tuvalu was the second nation to join the group at COP 27 and we look forward to continued engagement with the group on our path to COP30 in Belem later this year.”

The meeting was the first of the official 2025 cycle of participating nations. They discussed plans for future convenings of Senior Officials and Ministers in September and at COP30 in November, focussed on the need to increase international cooperation on an equitable fossil fuel phase-out and a just transition. Participating countries discussed pathways for a Treaty, including a possible dedicated process to focus on the negotiation and development of a Fossil Fuel Treaty in 2026.  

Senior officials attending emphasized the importance of an inclusive, high-ambition process that engages non-state actors and civil society. They also discussed ways to advocate for a Treaty and advance diplomacy with other countries at SB 62, COP30 and in other multilateral and bilateral spaces.

Delegate Charles Hamilton, Adviser on Climate Change, Office of the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of The Bahamas, said: “It has been great to be a part of the discussions in this room. We are grateful to the Treaty Team for the presentations on some of the research areas they are working on. As The Bahamas looks to develop its NDC 3.0 and advance implementation of our National Energy Policy, we’ve engaged meaningfully with the Treaty Team on how that research can be expanded to support nations in a similar context, and look forward to seeing how this work progresses. We believe having an early seat at the table is important to ensuring the best possible outcomes for the people of The Bahamas and our planet. We look forward to engaging again with the group at other Meetings later this year to advance the work of the Treaty Team and Participating Countries.”

Momentum is growing behind the call to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty. In addition to the 16 participating nation-states, the initiative has also been supported by 135 cities and subnational governments, the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, over 1 million individuals including 101 Nobel laureates and 850 elected officials, 37 Indigenous communities from the Amazon, Kenya and India, 4000 civil society organisations and 3000 scientists.