COP33: India withdraws bid to host UN climate conference in 2028

India has withdrawn its offer to host the United Nations climate conference COP33 in 2028, sources said. The move was communicated earlier this week, without an official reason or Environment Ministry response. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant described the withdrawal as sensible, criticising unmet commitments and fossil fuel lobbying.

India has pulled back its offer to host the United Nations annual climate Conference of the Parties, COP33, in 2028, sources said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested India as the host during an address at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Sources said the withdrawal was communicated earlier this week.

Sources did not give a reason for the change. The Environment Ministry did not respond to questions on the development. A questionnaire sent to the COP headquarters in Bonn also received no reply. COP venues are usually confirmed about two years before the event takes place.

India COP33 withdrawal and the official communication

Sources confirmed the decision was officially conveyed to the relevant parties earlier this week. The nomination of a COP host is made by the regional group. In this case, it is the Asia-Pacific Group. Sources added that the COP secretariat does not take part in choosing the host country.

India COP33 withdrawal and reactions from Amitabh Kant

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant described the move as sensible in a post on X. "The developed world has not lived up to any of its commitments made at COP21 in Paris. COPs have been taken over by Fossil fuel lobbyists,\" Amitabh Kant wrote.

India COP33 withdrawal and how COP hosting rotates

The right to host the annual climate COP talks rotates among the UN’s five regional groups. COP31 will be co-hosted by Turkiye and Australia. Both countries belong to the Western Europe and Others Group. COP32 will be held in Ethiopia’s capital city, a representative of the African Group.

India COP33 withdrawal and preparations by the Environment Ministry

In July 2025, India’s Environment Ministry set up a dedicated COP33 Cell. The unit was meant to handle professional and logistical needs for the 2028 summit. The United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, UNFCCC, sets the rules for the climate process, with COP as its main annual meeting.

With India stepping aside, the Asia-Pacific Group will need to identify a host for COP33 in 2028. The COP secretariat is not involved in the host decision, sources said. No official explanation has been provided by the Indian government so far, and responses are still awaited from key offices.

With inputs from PTI