Modi pitches India as host of COP33 in 2028

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday proposed that India host the United Nations-sponsored COP summit in 2028 as he sought to position the country as a global leader in climate action, launched a green credit initiative, and called for more inclusive policies that help developing countries stave off climate calamities.

- Jayashree Nandi

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of COP28 in Dubai, Modi reiterated his call for a “just, inclusive and equitable” energy transition and said that India was committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.

“I propose that India will host COP33 in 2028. I hope over next 12 days, the Global Stocktake will show us the path to a secure future,” he said at the ceremonial opening of the high-level segment for heads of States and governments.

In a testament to the close ties between the host United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India, Modi addressed the opening along with COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber, UNFCCC executive secretary Simon Stiell, and UN general assembly president Dennis Francis. His speech was followed by national statements by various heads of States.

“Despite India being home to 17% of world’s population, our share of global carbon emissions is lower than 4%. India is one of the very few economies that remains on track to achieve its climate targets,” he said.

The COP presidency rotates between different world regions and India’s next opportunity will be in 2028 when Asia gets its turn. All countries in that group must unanimously agree to Modi’s bid before it is confirmed.

He also met a constellation of heads of States on the sidelines of the prestigious global conference that has emerged as the main platform to hammer out negotiations and pacts on fighting the climate crisis, and draws tens of thousands of delegates, including world leaders and industry chiefs.

This edition of the conference is being widely seen as a turning point in the world’s fight to contain the climate crisis and keep the goal of 1.5 degree warming alive. Crucially, it will also measure how far the globe has come in achieving targets set by the 2015 Paris conference on mitigation, adaptation and climate finance.