A sudden fire broke out at the United Nations COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, causing chaos and forcing delegates to evacuate the premises. The blaze erupted in a country pavilion within the event’s ‘blue zone,’ sending thick smoke billowing through the venue. Firefighters and security teams responded swiftly, bringing the fire under control without any reported injuries. The cause of the incident remains unknown. The fire occurred during critical negotiations among global ministers, who were attempting to resolve deadlocks on fossil fuels, climate finance, and trade measures. Mauricio Lyrio, head of the Brazilian delegation, confirmed that his team was evacuated mid-meeting and doubted they could return to the site that day. The conference, held in large tents near the Amazon, has drawn tens of thousands of participants. Earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged negotiators to reach an ‘ambitious compromise,’ emphasizing the global significance of the talks. ‘The world is watching Belem,’ he stated, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate challenges. The incident underscores the high stakes of COP30 as nations strive to finalize agreements before the summit concludes on Friday.