India Withdraws COP33 Hosting Bid as Asia-Pacific Group Prepares to Decide 2028 Host

India has stepped away from hosting COP33, the United Nations climate summit planned for 2028. The decision leaves the 2028 meeting without a confirmed venue. Under UN rotation rules, COP33 is expected to fall to an Asia-Pacific host. Attention is now turning to other possible bidders, as planning continues for nearby climate and G20 events.

Reuters reported that India told the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) this month. India withdrew its offer to stage COP33. The proposal had been announced three years earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi had presented India as a possible host during global climate talks in 2023.

The withdrawal first became public through Climate Home News. The outlet 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 detailed what was assessed, or what drove the change.

Climate Home News also reported that Rajat Agarwal sent the message. Rajat Agarwal is the Environment Ministry contact point with the UNFCCC. The four-paragraph letter confirmed the shift in plans. It said India would keep working with other countries on climate action. It also thanked Asia-Pacific partners for their "support and solidarity".

The UNFCCC runs global climate negotiations through yearly COP meetings. Hosting rotates among five UN regional groups. One host country usually leads the presidency and logistics. Sometimes, two countries share the task through an agreed partnership. COP31 and COP32 already have confirmed venues under this system.

The current schedule for the next COP meetings is outlined below.

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

COP33 alternatives and South Korea’s position

With India out, COP33 is again open within the Asia-Pacific Group. Climate Home News reported that South Korea earlier suggested Jeollanam-do province as a venue. South Korea’s climate ministry has said no formal government bid has been lodged. Seoul also faces a crowded 2028 calendar, due to the G20 Summit.

India had prepared for COP33 until recently. PTI reported that the Environment Ministry set up a dedicated COP33 Cell in July 2025. The unit handled technical and logistical planning for a possible 2028 summit. The bid began at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Modi invited parties from 197 countries to meet in India.

At that same COP28 session, Modi launched the Green Credit Initiative with the United Arab Emirates. The effort aimed to encourage voluntary, pro-environment actions worldwide. Modi also asked richer countries for more climate finance and technology. Modi argued that Global South nations need stronger support for low-carbon development.

India’s withdrawal leaves COP33 without a confirmed organiser for 2028. The Asia-Pacific Group still needs to settle on a host under the rotation system. South Korea has not filed a formal bid, and the G20 timing may affect planning. For now, the UN climate calendar is clear for 2026 and 2027, but not 2028.