Belem: Talks at the COP30 climate summit in Belem were briefly thrown into chaos on Thursday after a fire forced part of the venue to be evacuated. The disruption came at a tense moment in the negotiations, as United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged countries to agree on a clear plan to move the world away from fossil fuels.
The fire, which broke out in a section used for side events, was quickly brought under control. Delegates were moved out as a safety measure, and no injuries were reported. However, the incident added pressure to talks that have already missed key deadlines and are struggling with deep divisions.
Negotiators were expected to finalise major parts of the agreement by Wednesday, but they failed to reach consensus on central issues. These include how fast countries should shift away from coal, oil and gas, and how much financial support rich nations should provide to developing countries that face worsening climate impacts.
A draft text released by the Brazilian presidency proposed tripling global adaptation finance by 2030 compared to 2025 levels. Adaptation finance helps countries prepare for rising seas, stronger storms and other climate stresses. But the draft did not include a detailed roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, which many countries say is essential for keeping global warming under control.
More than 80 nations support including a fossil fuel transition roadmap in the final document. These countries argue that without such a plan, the world risks falling further behind on climate goals.
But several major oil and gas producers oppose the idea. Because COP agreements require unanimous approval, even a small number of countries can slow or block progress.
Climate finance remains a major sticking point. Many developing nations say they cannot transition their economies or protect their communities without reliable financial commitments from richer countries.They also point out that earlier promises on funding have not been fully delivered.
Guterres urged countries to overcome their disagreements and produce a meaningful outcome. He warned that the world cannot afford delays when climate impacts are becoming stronger every year.
Brazil, the host, is trying to bridge the gap. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stressed the importance of strong climate action, but Brazil also has expanding oil projects, creating a difficult balance for the country as it leads the negotiations.
With the summit moving into its final days, negotiators are working urgently to find compromise. The final result will depend on whether countries can agree on a stronger fossil fuel transition plan, clearer climate finance commitments and support for the most vulnerable regions.