The 29th edition of Ecomondo, the international exhibition dedicated to the circular economy, sustainability and environmental technologies organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), opened today, Tuesday 3 November, at the Rimini Fair. The event will run until Friday, 6 November.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, while Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso addressed the event via video message.
The 2026 edition shows growing numbers, occupying 30 pavilions across 170,000 square metres, with more than 1,800 exhibiting brands, a 19% increase in foreign company participation and over a thousand international buyers. Fourteen foreign collective pavilions are also present, while Mexico is the first-ever guest country in the fair’s history.
The opening ceremony was led by IEG president Maurizio Ermeti, who highlighted the fair’s now international role: «The green economy is becoming increasingly strategic for the growth and competitiveness of the national industrial system, and Ecomondo is a protagonist of this transformation».
Minister Pichetto Fratin stressed that sustainability represents a development opportunity for businesses, through more efficient use of resources and waste reduction. «Ecomondo is the place where this vision takes shape, through dialogue and the promotion of best practices», he stated.
In his remarks, Urso instead pointed to the need to strengthen Italian and European industrial autonomy, particularly in the supply of critical raw materials, while highlighting Italy’s national leadership in the circular economy.
The ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Michele de Pascale, Fabrizio Lobasso of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maurizio Forte of the ICE Agency.
The opening day also marked the launch of the 15th edition of the General States of the Green Economy, with the presentation of the 2026 Report on the State of the Green Economy.
The programme continues on Wednesday with sessions dedicated to sustainable finance, waste management, circular cities and ecological transition, alongside an international session on the prospects of the green economy in the global landscape.
