Ecomondo 2026 Closes with 14% Increase in International Visitors and More Than 10,000 Business Meetings
The 29th edition of the Italian Exhibition Group event welcomed more than 1,800 exhibiting brands
RIMINI- Mohamed Hassan
Ecomondo 2026, the international exhibition dedicated to the green, blue and circular economy, concluded its 29th edition on Friday at the Rimini Expo Centre, reporting a 14% increase in international visitors and a 1% rise in domestic attendance compared with the previous edition.
Organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the event ran from November 3 to 6 and brought together more than 1,800 exhibiting brands, with international exhibitors accounting for 21% of the total. The exhibition covered 171,000 square meters and attracted 651 accredited journalists, 15% of whom came from abroad.
The event also welcomed 1,300 hosted buyers and international delegations through cooperation with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), which supports the promotion and international expansion of Italian businesses.
The 2026 edition marked several milestones in Ecomondo’s international development. Mexico became the first foreign guest country in the event’s history, the Africa Investment HUB was launched to strengthen business and investment connections across the continent, and a delegation of 11 Brazilian start-ups operating in the agri-food sector took part in the exhibition.
Over four days, the Rimini Expo Centre became a meeting point for companies, institutions, researchers, associations and innovators, showcasing technologies and solutions designed to accelerate the ecological transition and support more resilient, circular and competitive economic systems.
At the Innovation District, 20 innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises presented projects and technologies aimed at advancing the ecological transition and the development of the circular economy.
Ecomondo expands its international reach
Ecomondo 2026 further strengthened its international presence through the participation of 1,300 hosted buyers and 14 international groups representing Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland.
For the first time in its history, the exhibition hosted a foreign guest country: Mexico, one of Latin America’s promising economies, which is reshaping its development model around the principles of the circular economy.
The partnership is expected to continue through the next edition of Ecomondo Mexico, scheduled to take place from April 20 to 22, 2027, at Expo Guadalajara.
Africa also featured prominently in the exhibition’s internationalization strategy with the launch of the Africa Investment HUB. The initiative aims to encourage business opportunities, investment partnerships and networking between companies and associations across the continent.
Ecomondo facilitated more than 10,000 business matchmaking meetings during the event, bringing together companies, public institutions, associations, researchers and innovators to promote the exchange of technologies, knowledge and expertise.
Another new feature of the 2026 edition was the participation of 11 Brazilian start-ups from the agri-food sector, adding a new dimension to the event’s international business and innovation network.
Policies, research and innovation drive the green transition
The exhibition’s conference program featured approximately 200 events, including 70 organized by the International Technical Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Fabio Fava.
The discussions brought European policies, scientific research and technological innovation to the forefront, focusing on how industrial sectors can combine environmental sustainability with economic growth and competitiveness.
Resource efficiency was a major theme, with sessions covering textiles, water, plastics, packaging and paper recycling. Other key topics included sustainable finance, the blue economy, healthy and circular cities, bioenergy and the regenerative bioeconomy.
The program also addressed developments in the European regulatory framework, climate change and adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and international cooperation across the Mediterranean and Africa.
The sixth edition of the Africa Green Growth Forum was held as part of Ecomondo, in collaboration with the Task Force for the Implementation of the Mattei Plan under the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, and RES4Africa.
The forum provided a platform for discussing green growth opportunities and strengthening cooperation between African and international stakeholders.
States General of the Green Economy examines Italy’s transition
The 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy was another major feature of Ecomondo 2026, providing an overview of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing Italy’s green economy while examining wider international developments.
The event was organized by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in cooperation with Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, under the patronage of the European Commission and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
The opening day’s plenary session featured the presentation of the 2026 State of the Green Economy Report, which outlined a positive overall trend for Italy, while also highlighting a number of remaining challenges and complexities.
An international session held on Wednesday, November 4, in cooperation with Italy for Climate, examined the global transition towards a green economy. Discussions highlighted the uneven nature of progress, with periods of significant advancement alternating with more difficult stages.
The session also considered developments in China, the United States, Europe and Africa, reflecting the growing importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of the green economy.
Ecomondo prepares for its 30th anniversary in 2027
With its 29th edition concluded, Ecomondo is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027.
The latest results underline the event’s expanding international reach and its role as a meeting place for policymakers, businesses, researchers and technology developers working across the green, blue and circular economy.
Through its exhibition areas, international business meetings and scientific program, Ecomondo continues to connect environmental policies with practical industrial solutions, supporting the development of more sustainable and competitive economic models.
