China rules out hosting 2028 UN climate talks: sources
China has decided against hosting the UN’s annual climate talks in 2028 after having considered the possibility in recent months, sources familiar with the issue told AFP on Friday.
The decision leaves the door open for another Asian-Pacific country to organise COP33, as it would be the region’s turn to host the summit.
In April, India withdrew its offer to host the event, without specifying a reason. South Korea has previously expressed interest.
Beijing had contemplated for months whether to become a candidate but ultimately ruled it out, the sources said on condition of anonymity at the COP31 conference in Antalya, Turkey.
The Guardian first reported the news.
The Chinese government never confirmed its possible interest in hosting COP33.
Asked about the report in The Guardian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: “I am not aware of the relevant situation.”
The spokesperson said the United Nations climate talks are “an important platform for global climate governance”.
He added: “China will continue to commit itself to promoting the global green and low-carbon transition and international cooperation in responding to climate change.”
China would have been an intriguing choice.
While it is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also deploying renewable energy and electric vehicles at a breakneck pace.
China has also been active in UN climate negotiations, while the United States has skipped the talks since President Donald Trump took office in 2025.
Climate cooperation had been a key feature of the US-China relationship under presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
The United States will elect a new president in 2028. The US elections usually take place before COPs.
COP33 will be particularly important as nations will undertake a “global stocktake” of progress on climate action and assess where the world has fallen short in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
