A sudden fire broke out at the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, 20 November 2025, forcing a full evacuation and throwing last-ditch negotiations for a global deal into disarray.
Evacuation Amid Crucial Negotiations
The blaze ignited in the pavilion area of the conference centre, where various groups showcase their climate efforts. The incident occurred at a critical juncture, just as the host nation was attempting to unite more than 190 countries towards a consensus. Delegates were compelled to flee the short-lived fire, which officials believe was caused by an electrical fault.
Emergency services swiftly contained the fire. According to officials, 13 people received treatment for smoke inhalation. The UN climate body (UNFCCC) has not yet confirmed when the site will be reopened, leaving the timeline for the crucial talks uncertain.
Mounting Pressure on Stalled Talks
The evacuation compounds the existing difficulties faced by negotiators, who had already missed a self-imposed deadline to conclude the first batch of agreements on Wednesday evening. The talks were reportedly stuck on key issues, primarily the gap between current warming projections and the safer levels governments have previously committed to.
The most contentious topics on the table include the future of fossil fuels and the delivery of climate finance. Approximately 80 countries have been pushing for a concrete roadmap to implement the pledge to "transition away from fossil fuels," a commitment made at COP28 two years ago that has seen little progress.
Key Dividing Lines and New Topics
A major point of division remains the responsibility of wealthy nations, historically the largest emitters, to provide financial help to poorer countries coping with extreme weather impacts. Previous funding promises have often been delivered late or not in the form initially promised.
In a potential development, critical minerals, which are vital for green technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels, may be included in one of the formal COP decisions expected later in the week. The fire has undoubtedly made the challenging task of bridging these deep divides even harder.
