New Delhi: India has withdrawn its proposal to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP 33) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2028. According to sources from the Environment Ministry, the decision was communicated to the Asia-Pacific group on April 2.
India had initially proposed hosting the COP-33 summit in 2028. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India’s proposal in his special address at the inauguration of the High-Level Segment of COP-28 in the UAE in December 2023. In his remarks, PM Modi had said, “India is committed to the UN Framework for Climate Change process. That is why, from this stage, I propose to host the COP33 Summit in India in 2028.”
However, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the government’s decision. He said, “I am very surprised. It was high on the Prime Minister’s agenda, especially since 2029 will be the year of the Lok Sabha elections. Appropriate atmospherics could have been created.”
Earlier, the Union Cabinet had approved India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035, enhancing the country’s ambition under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement while reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and climate justice.
An official release stated, “India’s NDC for 2031-35 is guided by the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, which is not just a goal for 2047 but a commitment to act today to build a prosperous and climate-resilient India for future generations.”
It added, “India’s successive climate targets build upon earlier commitments, many of which have already been achieved ahead of schedule, reflecting the country’s consistent track record in climate action. The five qualitative targets aim to embed sustainability into everyday life and governance systems, promote climate-resilient development pathways, and enable a just and inclusive transition for all sections of society.”