On November 20, negotiations at the COP30 Climate Summit in the city of Madrid, Amazon, Brazil were interrupted when a fire broke out at the venue, forcing negotiators to evacuate as negotiators were trying to reach an agreement to increase international climate action.
Previously, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an agreement at the summit, welcoming proposals to clarify the controversial issue of gradually reducing the world's dependence on fossil fuels.
Shortly after lunch, footage from the security system showed the fire breaking out at an exhibition booth and quickly spreading to the fabric covering the interior along the walls and ceilings, before being extinguished. The organizers announced that 13 people had to be treated for inhaling smoke at the scene.
The local fire prevention and fighting agency determined that the cause could be electrical equipment, most likely a microwave, and the fire was controlled within 6 minutes. Thousands of delegates were evacuated as security forces formed fences to block the corridors.
The negotiations are expected to resume on the morning of November 21 (local time).
The summit failed to fulfill its self-made target of November 19 to reach an agreement among nearly 200 countries on issues such as strengthening climate finance and promoting the transition away from fossil fuels.
host Brazil assessed the deal as an important step in promoting international climate action, and showed widespread support to turn promises and commitments from COP conferences into practical action.
Emissions from burning fossil fuels retain heat in the Earth's atmosphere and are the main cause of global warming.
The division on fossil fuels and climate finance was the two main bottlenecks in the two-week negotiations, reflecting the contrast between blocks from developed Western countries, oil producers and small countries vulnerable to climate change.
According to Brazil, dozens of countries, including developed and developing countries, have proposed a roadmap to guide countries across the transition from fossil fuels. However, some other countries, including countries that produce fossil fuels, have objected.
Another major controversial issue is the reluctance of some developed countries to provide funding to support poor countries to adapt to climate change. Developing countries remain skeptical about the $300 billion financial commitment made at COP29 last year in Baku, especially as the US withdrew from climate cooperation mechanisms under President Donald Trump.
