India Out of COP33 Race; 2028 UN Climate Summit Left Without Confirmed Host After India's Withdrawl

India is no longer in the race to host COP33, the United Nations climate summit scheduled for 2028, leaving that year’s conference without a confirmed venue. The move follows earlier support within the Asia-Pacific region for India’s candidacy and shifts attention to other possible hosts, even as planning for nearby climate and G20 meetings continues.

India Out of COP33 Race; 2028 UN Climate Summit Left Without Confirmed Host

Reuters reported that India informed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) this month that the country is withdrawing its offer to stage COP33. The bid had been publicly announced three years earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who positioned India as a potential host during global climate talks in 2023.

The withdrawal first surfaced through Climate Home News, which cited a letter from an Environment Ministry official to the Asia-Pacific Group chair. The report said India stepped back after a "review of its commitments" for 2028. Officials have not yet shared what was examined during this review or why it led to the decision.

According to the same report, Rajat Agarwal, the Environment Ministry’s contact point with the UNFCCC, wrote to confirm India’s change of plans. The four-paragraph letter stated that India would still work constructively with other countries on climate action and thanked Asia-Pacific partners for their "support and solidarity" while the bid was active.

COP33 United Nations climate summit plans

The UNFCCC oversees the global climate negotiations, and the Conference of the Parties, or COP, is its main annual political gathering. Hosting rights rotate between five UN regional groups. Each summit is formally presided over and logistically organised by a single host nation or, in some cases, by an agreed partnership.

The rotation system is already set for the next two years. COP31 will be co-hosted in 2026 by Turkiye and Australia, both from the Western Europe and Others Group, while the 2027 conference will take place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, representing the African Group. By contrast, the 2028 host remains undecided.

The current and planned host pattern for upcoming COP meetings is shown below, based on available information from official and media sources:

COP number	Year	Planned host location	Regional group	Status
COP31	2026	Turkiye and Australia	Western Europe and Others Group	Confirmed co-hosts
COP32	2027	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	African Group	Confirmed host city
COP33	2028	Not yet assigned	Asia-Pacific Group	Host undecided after India withdrawal

India’s Previous Bid

India’s announcement leaves a gap for COP33, which is expected to be hosted by an Asia-Pacific nation under the rotation rules. Climate Home News reported that South Korea had earlier suggested Jeollanam-do province as a venue. However, South Korea’s climate ministry has clarified that there is no formal government bid on file yet.

Officials in Seoul also noted another consideration for 2028. South Korea is already preparing to welcome world leaders for the G20 Summit that year, adding further pressure on its calendar and resources. This overlap may affect how far the government can go in pursuing the COP33 role.

India had been preparing for the responsibility until recently. According to PTI, the Environment Ministry created a dedicated COP33 Cell in July 2025. The unit was tasked with managing both technical and logistical planning for a possible 2028 summit, signalling how seriously the earlier hosting proposal was taken within the government machinery.

The bid itself dates back to the COP28 talks in Dubai in 2023, when representatives from 197 countries gathered. During a plenary speech, Prime Minister Modi invited parties to meet in India for COP33 in 2028. The proposal was presented as part of a wider pitch on India’s role within global climate action.

At the same session, Prime Minister Modi launched the Green Credit Initiative with the United Arab Emirates, aimed at encouraging voluntary, pro-environment efforts around the world. Modi also urged richer countries to supply more climate finance and technology to the Global South, arguing that vulnerable nations need stronger support for low-carbon development.

India’s choice not to proceed with hosting the COP33 United Nations climate summit raises questions about how domestic priorities and international expectations intersect, even as India continues to highlight climate action in diplomacy. With the 2028 venue still open and South Korea yet to formalise any interest, uncertainty around the future host country remains.