India Withdraws Offer to Host 2028 UN Climate Summit COP33
In a significant diplomatic move, India has formally withdrawn its proposal to host the 33rd session of the United Nations climate conference, known as COP33, scheduled for 2028. The decision was communicated to the UN climate body's Asia-Pacific Group, with officials citing a review of the country's commitments for that year as the primary reason.
Communication of Withdrawal
The withdrawal was conveyed last week by Rajat Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to the chair of the UN climate body's Asia-Pacific Group. This group is responsible for coordinating with host countries in the Asia-Pacific region. While India has not made a formal public announcement, ministry officials confirmed the communication, which did not provide detailed explanations beyond referencing the review of 2028 commitments.
The brief communication emphasized India's continued commitment to engage constructively with the global community on climate action, despite stepping back from hosting duties. This move comes without further elaboration on the specific factors behind the decision.
Background of the Proposal
India's bid to host COP33 was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 1, 2023, during his speech at COP28 in Dubai. This proposal followed India's successful hosting of the G20 summit in New Delhi in 2023, which showcased the country's capability to manage large-scale international events. The announcement was seen as a strategic effort to position India as a leader in global climate diplomacy.
Timing Amid Enhanced Climate Goals
The withdrawal is particularly notable as it occurred just one week after India enhanced its climate action targets under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. India declared its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035, aligning with its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
India's latest NDC includes three key quantitative goals:
- Reduction of emissions intensity (emissions per unit of GDP) by 47% by 2035 from the 2005 level.
- Achieving 60% cumulative installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035.
- Creating a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 from the 2005 level.
This enhancement underscores India's proactive stance on climate mitigation, even as it steps back from hosting COP33.
Implications for the Asia-Pacific Region
With India withdrawing its candidacy, the Asia-Pacific Group may now turn to other interested parties. South Korea has previously expressed interest in hosting the UN climate summit in 2028, potentially making it a frontrunner for COP33. This shift in hosting dynamics comes as other countries prepare for upcoming conferences: Turkiye will host COP31 later this year, and Ethiopia is set to host COP32 next year.
The decision reflects the complex balancing act nations face in committing to international events while managing domestic priorities and global climate responsibilities. India's withdrawal highlights the challenges in aligning hosting duties with national climate strategies and resource allocations.
