Brazil Final spurt of the climate conference after fire on the grounds
Following the outbreak of a fire on the grounds of the World Climate Conference in Brazil, negotiations are to continue today.
21.11.2025, 04:18
SDA
"There is still much work to be done and we hope that all Parties will join in this work in a spirit of solidarity and determination to achieve a successful outcome of the conference," the United Nations said on the eve of the summit.
The summit is actually scheduled to end in the evening (18:00 local time; 22:00 CET). In recent years, however, the meetings have almost always gone into extra time. The negotiations are currently in a critical phase.
The focus is particularly on the question of whether the global community - without the USA - can agree on a plan to phase out the climate-damaging burning of coal, oil and gas. Germany, the EU and dozens of other countries are insisting on progress, while other countries are blocking progress. A unanimous decision is needed.
Dramatic images of fire on the site
Early Thursday afternoon (local time), a fire broke out in one part of the extensive site. On a BBC video of the incident, a reporter from the broadcaster could be seen in front of a blazing stand in the area of the country pavilions, the flames were burning through the ceiling of the tent. Dpa reporters saw smoke rising above the tent roofs. The cause of the fire was initially unclear.
All participants had to leave the tent city, where the two-week conference with tens of thousands of delegates is taking place. After several hours of closure, the temporarily evacuated area was then reopened to all delegates later in the evening.
Due to the fire, the negotiating countries lost several hours - which makes an extension of the summit appear even more likely.
Over 20 people received medical treatment
The organizers stated that a total of 21 people received medical treatment as a result of the fire - 19 because they had inhaled smoke and two people because of anxiety. Their condition is being monitored. There was "limited damage", they said. The fire was brought under control within around six minutes. The area affected by the incident will remain cordoned off until the end of the conference.
According to the German delegation, the negotiations should continue as normal from the morning. On Thursday evening (local time), the Brazilian presidency of the conference had already resumed consultations with the groups of countries. In the final phase of climate conferences, talks often continue well into the night.
The fire was not the first unexpected incident at this year's World Climate Conference. In the first week, indigenous activists broke through barriers one evening and stormed the site. A few days later, indigenous groups blocked the main entrance until the Brazilian conference host came outside to talk to them.
