Today was not meant to be this episode.

At around 2pm local time, a fire broke out near the country pavilions, triggering the full evacuation of the Blue Zone.

As COP30 entered its final stretch, we’d planned to bring you an update on the negotiations, and to share some of the many extraordinary stories of progress and perseverance that surface here every single day.

As of Thursday evening, the fire has been contained, and we understand there were no serious injuries. But there is shock, and there will be aftershocks, for those who were inside the venue. And there is now a heavy burden on the Presidency and the teams working behind the scenes to stabilise and steer the summit through the hours ahead.

For many, today has been a humbling reminder of how quickly the unexpected can unfold. But despite a difficult day, negotiations continue. And yet, despite an already difficult day, and despite the exhaustion of negotiators who have now been here for weeks, the work continues.

In this episode, we reflect on what unfolded inside the venue. But we also look beyond it to the incredibly important work that still must be done at COP30, and to what we are collectively called upon to deliver.

This episode includes eyewitness testimonies from Beatriz Beccari Barreto (CDR30 Pavilion), and members of our team

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Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks

Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan

Edited by: Miles Martignoni

Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford

With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism.

This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Company We Keep – John Abrams