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COP30 Day 11 Summary: Thursday 20th November 2025

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Day 11 of COP30 in Belém faced an unexpected and disruptive incident when a fire broke out in one of the pavilion areas of the conference venue. The blaze led to a full evacuation as delegates and observers were moved outside for safety.
Local fire services acted quickly, bringing the situation under control within 6 minutes. Although no injuries were reported, the disruption came at a sensitive time as negotiators were attempting to finalise key elements of the text, adding tension at a critical point in the negotiations.
COP30 Summary

Fossil Fuels Transition Takes Centre Stage

A central focus of Thursday’s discussions was the ongoing debate over the future of fossil fuels. Many countries continued to call for a formal roadmap to transition away from oil, gas and coal, supported by strong guidance from the United Nations. The UN Secretary-General reiterated the importance of shifting from fossil fuels in line with scientific recommendations.
While more than 80 countries reportedly favour a structured phase-out plan, significant pushback remains from major fossil-fuel producers. These differences highlight the complexity of securing agreement across diverse national interests and economic realities.

Climate Finance And Trade Tensions

Alongside the energy debate, climate finance remained a major point of discussion. Developing countries continued to emphasise the scale of investment required to support mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Trade-related issues also gained attention, with policies such as carbon border measures generating concern among emerging economies. These topics shaped much of the conversation throughout the day, revealing how financial commitments and trade frameworks play an important role in the overall success of global climate cooperation.

Youth, Civil Society And Public Expectation

Civil-society groups and youth representatives maintained a visible presence throughout the day. Their message focused on the need for rapid progress and long-term responsibility from world leaders.
While the negotiations remain primarily government-led, the involvement of younger voices and community stakeholders continues to influence the public narrative around the summit. Their participation reinforced the wider expectation that decisions made in Belém should reflect both ambition and fairness.

The Fire and Negotiation Pressure

The fire incident prompted safety checks and temporary delays, contributing to a more strained atmosphere. As negotiations resumed, delegates faced tighter time pressures with only one day remaining to finalise key commitments.
While many participants responded calmly to the disruption, the event served as a reminder of the operational challenges involved in hosting an international summit of this scale. Despite the interruption, many delegations continued working to keep discussions on track.
With COP30 due to close on 21 November, Day 11 marked a decisive moment. The main questions moving into the final hours include whether countries can agree on a fossil-fuel transition pathway, how climate-finance commitments will be structured and whether trade-related disputes can be resolved. These outcomes will determine whether the conference is seen as a step forward or another missed opportunity in global climate action.

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