Belem(Africanews): A sudden fire at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, forced the evacuation of delegates and briefly halted United Nations climate negotiations during a crucial stage of the summit. The incident came as ministers and diplomats were racing against time to secure an agreement on strengthening global climate action.
Blaze in Blue Zone Pavilion
The fire broke out in the Blue Zone pavilion, the area reserved for side events alongside official negotiations. Emergency crews quickly contained the blaze within minutes, and all attendees were evacuated safely. Organisers confirmed that the Brazilian government and UNFCCC temporarily closed the site to allow a full safety inspection.
Electrical Device Suspected as Cause
Local fire officials reported that the blaze was likely triggered by an electrical appliance, possibly a microwave. Thirteen people were treated on site for smoke inhalation, though no serious injuries were reported.
Operations Resume After Safety Checks
Following a comprehensive inspection, the Blue Zone reopened later on Thursday, allowing the conference to continue. The disruption, however, added further strain to already sluggish negotiations.
COP30 Negotiations Under Pressure
With Friday marked as the final day of talks, the presidency had planned extended sessions on Thursday to push progress. The fire disrupted those plans, compounding delays after the COP30 summit missed its self‑imposed Wednesday deadline to resolve key issues such as climate finance.
Concerns Over Weak Compromises
Observers warned that the combination of missed deadlines and unexpected delays could force negotiators into watered‑down compromises. “Emergencies can bring people closer, but the underlying divides remain,” noted Alden Meyer of the European think‑tank E3G. “The risk is ending up with an agreement so weak that no one supports it.”
UN Chief Calls for Flexibility
Just hours before the fire, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged countries to show “willingness and flexibility” to deliver meaningful results. He stressed that compromise and common ground were essential, warning that failure to adopt strong measures would be unacceptable.
Contentious Issues Still Unresolved
COP30 talks remain deadlocked over climate finance for developing nations and the phase‑out of fossil fuels. Guterres expressed confidence that an agreement was still possible, but acknowledged that time was running out.
“We are down to the wire, and the world is watching Belém,” Guterres said. “Communities on the frontlines are watching too. They have heard enough excuses. They demand results.”
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