With UN climate talks nearing a close in Belem, the world body's chief on Thursday urged nations to reach an "ambitious compromise" that keeps alive the goal of limiting long-term planetary warming to the critical 1.5C threshold.

Nearly 200 countries have spent the past two weeks hashing out issues at COP30 -- from a "roadmap" to transition away from fossil fuels proposed by host Brazil, to concerns over weak emissions-reduction plans, finance for developing countries, and trade barriers.

Antonio Guterres -- the former Portuguese prime minister who has made climate his signature issue -- delivered an urgent message.

"The world is watching Belem," he told reporters during a morning news conference, as nations await a new draft negotiating text before the summit officially closes on Frida

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