India Pulls Out of Bid to Host Climate Conference; Disappointed Experts Say Global Conflicts May Have Driven Decision India has withdrawn its offer to host the 33rd annual climate change conference, or COP33, scheduled for 2028, according to a report by Climate Home News. The decision, announced on April 2, follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initial proposal in December 2023 during the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Modi had pledged India’s candidacy for COP33, a move that climate experts had previously hailed as a significant statement from the country. However, the withdrawal has sparked disappointment among environmental advocates, who argue that the decision reflects a broader shift toward short-term energy security amid global geopolitical tensions. The Union government has not yet confirmed the news through an official press release or statement. According to the report, Rajat Agarwal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, informed the chair of the Asia-Pacific Group within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) about India’s withdrawal via a four-paragraph letter. The letter stated that the decision was made after reviewing India’s climate commitments for 2028 but did not specify additional reasons. It also noted India’s intention to continue engaging constructively with the international community on climate action and expressed appreciation for the support of Asia-Pacific nations during its bid. Climate experts have criticized the withdrawal as a “strategic missed opportunity” and a “setback for global efforts.#india #climate_home_news #rajat_agarwal #harjeet_singh
India Withdraws Bid to Host COP33 Climate Talks The Indian government has quietly withdrawn its offer to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028, according to a report by Climate Home News. The decision, announced on April 2, was communicated to other nations by an Indian official who cited a “review of its commitments for the year 2028” as the reason for the withdrawal. The initial bid had been made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. The Indian government has not publicly acknowledged the decision and has not responded to requests for comment, making this the first report of the withdrawal. The withdrawal leaves the host country for COP33 uncertain, as the summit will follow COP31 in Türkiye and COP32 in Ethiopia. While South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed interest in hosting the talks during his 2025 campaign, the country’s climate ministry has not formally endorsed the bid. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated that local governments may pursue hosting interests for regional development and tourism, but this does not reflect the national government’s stance. Additionally, Boyoung Kang, director of the ministry, noted that South Korea’s planned G20 Summit in 2028 could limit its capacity to host COP33, given the substantial financial and logistical demands of the event. The right to host the annual climate negotiations rotates among the UN’s five regional groups. This year’s COP31 is co-hosted by Türkiye and Australia, members of the Western Europe and Others Group, while Ethiopia will host COP32 as part of the African Group. The Asia-Pacific Group is next in line, and India had been widely expected to host COP33 after Modi’s announcement at COP28. However, the withdrawal disrupts this expectation.#india #narendra_modi #brics #unfccc #climate_home_news
