A week before the fire struck the Blue Zone at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) on Thursday, a senior UN official warned the Brazilian government of potential “electrostatic exposure” risks in conference venues. The document, reviewed by the Bloomberg portal and confirmed by GLOBO on the 14th, also identified security flaws in the event; At the time, the Civic House said the problems highlighted had been resolved.
- Live follow: Follow the developments of the fire in the COP30 booth
The letter in question was addressed to the President of the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties, André Correa do Lago, and the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, on the 12th of this month. In the document, UNFCC Executive Secretary Simon Steele stated that some wards were suffering from infrastructure problems, such as leaks and spills.
Heavy rains in the early days of the COP, a common weather phenomenon in Belem, caused leaks “in the ceiling and lighting fixtures, which not only generated inconvenience but also created potential safety risks due to electrical exposure,” the document said.
On this occasion, the senior UN official also criticized the demonstrators’ invasion of the Blue Zone, an area whose entry is restricted to the authorities at the COP 30. The protest ended with a security guard being injured. Steele said in his letter that “the Brazilian authorities failed to act or adhere to the security plan agreed upon with the United Nations.”
In response, just last week, the Civic House reported that it had strengthened security measures following the riots in question, and also said that the water leak detected was “immediately repaired, with structures replaced and sealed.”
Fire should delay negotiations
The fire started around 2pm on Thursday, and the flames quickly spread to the roof of the Blue Zone, while firefighters and volunteers battled. Initial information indicated that the fire broke out in the India pavilion, but Tourism Minister Celso Sabino later stated that the fire broke out in the East Africa pavilion.
The minister also raised the possibility that an electrical short circuit caused by mobile phone chargers was the cause of the fire. The causes are still under investigation.
The Blue Zone evacuation was completed approximately 40 minutes after the fire started. The Green Zone, where civil society activities take place, was also evacuated. Facilities are not expected to reopen before 8pm on Thursday.
The cessation of activities may delay negotiations to reach the final COP 30 declaration. The event was initially scheduled to take place until Friday the 21st.
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