A significant fire broke out at the venue hosting the Cop30 UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, 20 November 2025, leading to mass evacuations and bringing the critical negotiations to an abrupt halt on the conference's penultimate day.
Chaos and Evacuation as Flames Spread
Videos from the scene captured huge flames engulfing one of the pavilions, which are large structures made of reinforced canvas or fabric. An eyewitness reported seeing billowing black smoke as the fire spread rapidly through the site. The blaze originated near the China Pavilion, according to Brazil's Tourism Minister, Celso Sabino, who spoke to journalists at the scene.
Samuel Rubin, who manages an entertainment and culture pavilion, confirmed the fire quickly moved to neighbouring pavilions, including many of the Africa pavilions and one dedicated to youth events. Emergency crews were swiftly deployed to battle the flames, with footage showing their intense efforts to bring the situation under control.
Cause and Context of the Incident
While the official cause is under investigation, Para state Governor Helder Barbalho suggested a generator failure or an electrical short circuit in a booth may have sparked the fire. This incident casts a shadow over a summit that had already faced challenges, with much of the venue reportedly still under construction right up until its opening. During pre-summit events, world leaders delivered speeches amidst the noise of drilling and jackhammering, with workers still completing pavilions shrouded in plastic.
Gabi Andrade, a volunteer from the host city of Belem, described the frightening moment the fire started. She was exploring the Singapore pavilion on her first free afternoon when she saw black smoke. "A security guard grabbed my hand and showed me to the exit as I cried and screamed 'fire'," she recounted. Beneath the shock, she expressed concern for Brazil's reputation, stating, "It's so sad for us. We all worked so hard."
Aftermath and Next Steps for Cop30
Organisers have since confirmed that the fire is now under control and, thankfully, no injuries have been reported. However, the venue will remain closed until 8pm local time (11pm UK time). The disruption comes at a critical juncture for the UN climate talks, which are now paused during their final stages. The world watches to see how this unforeseen event will impact the outcome of the vital discussions on climate change.
