All is set for negotiations and other activities to continue at the United Nations climate change conference (COP30) in the Brazilian city of Belem less than 12 hours after fire outbreak at the Blue Zone forced authorities to shut down the conference centre.
Graphic Online's Timothy Ngnenbe reports from Belem in Brazil that the fire outbreak, which occurred at about 2pm on Thursday on the penultimate day of the conference (November 20), put the global event in limbo.
Read also: Fire outbreak disrupts COP30 in Brazil
However, a joint media statement by the Brazilian authorities and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat explained that the Blue Zone had been reinstated and resumed operations as of 8:40 pm on Thursday (November 20).
The statement added that the Blue Zone was restored for business following a safety assessment and inspection by the Fire Department in Brazil.
"Brazilian authorities have restored operating conditions at the conference venue, obtained the Fire Department’s operating permit, and returned the area to the UNFCCC," the joint statement added.
However, it stressed that the area affected by the fire incident would remain isolated until the conclusion of the conference.
"We continue to closely monitor the condition of all individuals who required medical attention and remain in coordination with health services," the press statement added.
Meanwhile, the UNFCCC assured delegates and parties at the conference that plenary sessions will be open to parties, observers, and the media while also streamed online.
"We appreciate the cooperation, patience, and understanding of all participants. We still have substantial work ahead, and we trust that delegates will return to the negotiations in a spirit of solidarity and determination to ensure a successful outcome for this COP," the UNFCCC statement said.
Fire incident
Activities at COP30 ended abruptly on Thursday following a stampede that occurred due to fire outbreak at the conference grounds.
The fire outbreak reportedly started at the China Pavilion located in the Blue Zone and spread quickly to other pavilions, including that of the Africa.
All meetings and negotiations at the conference were immediately suspended as the fire and security details at the conference worked to ensure that every delegate was evacuated through the exit at the Green Zone, which hosted most of the high-profile sessions.
The stampede left thousands of delegates at the conference running for their lives.
The incident left COP30 in limbo as it was immediately unclear if the last day (November 21) was going to come off.
The situation had also put the conclusion of negotiations in limbo, especially so when there were writings on the wall that negotiators may require extension beyond the normal time frame to iron out thorny issues and arrive at decisions for climate action.
Hope
With the reopening of the Blue Zone for business, it is likely that the hustle and bustle at the conference grounds would diminish.
However, there is renewed hope that negotiators will get back to the meeting rooms and tie the loose ends of their discussions to arrive at decisions that would guide climate action going forward.
