--- title: "Fire Breaks Out at UN Climate Summit" description: "A massive fire broke out inside the convention center hosting over 50,000 UN delegates attending COP30, forcing an evacuation." date: "2025-11-23" modified: "2025-11-23" authors: - name: "Joe Wilkins" job_title: "Correspondent" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jwilkins" url: "https://futurism.com/science-energy/un-climate-summit-fire" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" --- # Fire Breaks Out at UN Climate Summit ![A massive fire broke out inside the convention center hosting over 50,000 UN delegates attending COP30, forcing an evacuation.]() *Photo by AFPTV / AFP) (Photo by -/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images* The United Nations global climate summit, COP30, only delivered [modest progress]() on its campaign to slow global warming. The unintentional symbolism, though, was extraordinary: on Thursday, the convention location itself had to be evacuated after a massive fire broke out. The event, hosted in Belém, Brazil at the threshold of the Amazon rainforest, was in its second to last day of proceedings when the flames prompted an evacuation, [according to *Heatmap*](). In a feat of cosmic irony, the "blue zone" — where only official delegates, journalists, and world leaders were allowed — was forced to evacuate at around 2pm local time. "We've been evacuated due to a fire — not exactly sure how the day is going to continue," a journalist with *Heatmap* was told via text. Video uploaded [by the *New York Times*]() shows flames billowing out of a long booth, burning a massive hole through the ceiling. In all, 13 people were treated for smoke inhalation, and meetings were delayed until much later Thursday night. Unlike the "green zone" which was open to the public, all official UN proceedings took place in the blue zone, making the fire a pretty severe setback. Per the *NYT*, the fire was just one of a handful of disruptions at COP30, coming after food shortages, water leaks, and dizzying heat left the summit attendees reeling. In all, over 56,000 delegates from some 200 countries had registered to attend the proceedings in-person. Notably absent was any [federal delegation]() from the United States, though state-level governors Gavin Newsom of California and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico were present for at least some of the summit. As journalist [Aayushi Gour reported](), COP30 concluded with a "sharp split" over the inclusion of language addressing a transition away from fossil fuels. After Brazil circulated a final draft of the UN climate document with no mention of fossil fuels, a group of 30 countries from Asia, Africa, and Europe issued a rebuke stating they would refuse to support an outcome which ignored the UN's [previous commitments]() to ending reliance of fossil fuels. In all, it was a fiery end to a critical summit which left much to be desired — both inside and outside the convention hall. **More on climate:** *[Elon Musk Announces Plan to Control Climate by Surrounding Earth in Adjustable Satellites]()* ## Author At Futurism, I focus on the intersection of technology and power — examining the economics, history, and politics behind today’s dystopian headlines. As a writer, I’m interested in topics ranging from AI’s impact on labor to startups nobody asked for. My prior work includes bylines in Jacobin, Verso, and Blue Labyrinths. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Forbes, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Verge, and Wired. I grew up in Michigan, attending Central Michigan University as well as Ball State University, where I earned a master of music. I now live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend and our cat Ziti. On weekends, you can find me hunched over a cold pint arguing geopolitics with the other transplants. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()