India has pulled out of hosting COP33 in 2028, creating uncertainty over the summit’s venue and raising questions about global climate leadership, logistics and emerging geopolitical dynamics.
India has withdrawn its bid to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028, a move that creates fresh uncertainty over the venue of the key global climate talks, Climate Home News reported.
An Indian official informed other nations of the decision on April 2, saying the offer, first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, was being pulled back “following a review of its commitments for the year 2028”.
No further explanation has been provided. The government has not publicly announced the withdrawal and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Climate Home News reported the development first.
The decision leaves the host of COP33 unclear. The summit will follow COP31 in Türkiye and COP32 in Ethiopia.
Before his election in 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had expressed interest in hosting the talks. Local media have also reported that the province of Jeollanam-do has campaigned for the summit.
However, an official from South Korea’s climate ministry told Climate Home News on Wednesday that the national government has not formally declared interest. “While local governments may pursue such interests for reasons including regional development and tourism, these do not represent the position of the national government,” said Boyoung Kang, a director at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
She added that with the Republic of Korea preparing to host the G20 Summit in 2028, it remains uncertain whether the country would have the capacity to take on COP33, which requires significant financial and logistical commitments.
The right to host the annual UN climate negotiations rotates among the UN’s five regional groups. This year’s COP31 will be co-hosted by Türkiye and Australia, both part of the Western Europe and Others Group, while COP32 will take place in Ethiopia’s capital representing the African Group.
In July 2025, the BRICS bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said in a joint statement that they “welcomed” India’s candidacy to host COP33.
The same month, The Hindu reported that the Indian government had set up a dedicated “cell” under the climate change division of the environment ministry to prepare for the summit.
But a letter dated April 2, seen and verified by Climate Home News, confirmed the reversal. In it, Rajat Agarwal, an environment ministry official responsible for liaising with the UN climate body, informed the chair of the Asia-Pacific Group that India was withdrawing its candidacy.
The letter said India would continue to engage constructively with the international community on climate action and expressed appreciation for the “support and solidarity” shown by Asia-Pacific countries during its bid.
Harjeet Singh, founder of the Delhi-based Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, described the withdrawal as a “strategic missed opportunity”.
He said the government was giving up a platform to showcase its renewable energy and electric mobility progress and to champion the Global South.
“COP33 should have been the forum where India demanded accountability for historical emissions, ensuring that a just transition to a green economy doesn’t come at the expense of energy access for the world’s most vulnerable,” he said.
This article has been updated to include Singh’s comments and to clarify South Korea’s position on hosting COP33.
