With just one month to go, preparations are well underway for Ecomondo 2024, Europe’s leading event for the circular and green economy, which will be hosted at Rimini Expo Centre, Italy, from 5th to 8th November. Organised by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), this year’s event promises to be more international than ever, with 900 buyers and delegations from 120 countries, particularly from the Balkans, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, according to IEG CEO Corrado Peraboni.
IEG President Maurizio Ermeti highlighted the significance of the event, now in its 27th edition, noting the focus on Africa and other pressing global environmental issues. “A leading event, Ecomondo will feature a comprehensive programme tackling key challenges like rising sea levels and waste management,” Ermeti said.
At the heart of the event will be the Africa Green Growth Forum, scheduled for Thursday, 7th November, which aims to promote sustainable development across the continent. This forum will focus on the Mattei Plan, an initiative led by the Italian government to support Africa’s green growth by encouraging renewable energy, the circular economy, and sustainable agriculture.
Alessandra Astolfi, head of IEG’s Green&Technology Division, outlined the scope of the Africa Green Growth Forum, which will be organised in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and RES4Africa. The forum will also discuss the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Morocco, which will train experts in the renewable energy sector for the entire African continent.
“Africa’s socio-economic development is closely tied to energy and agriculture,” Astolfi said. “Through initiatives like the Mattei Plan, we are working towards building sustainable biofuel supply chains and supporting small agricultural enterprises.” The Mattei Plan is also focused on the valorisation of waste, particularly used cooking oil, and is backed by a $210 million investment from the Italian Climate Fund and the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group).
Beyond the Africa Green Growth Forum, Ecomondo will address several other critical global challenges. One of the key events, “Rising sea levels in the Mediterranean: the forgotten threat,” will take place on Wednesday, 6th November, in partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). This session will explore the environmental and economic impact of rising sea levels in the region and the need for greater interregional cooperation.
Another key discussion, scheduled for Friday, 8th November, will centre on the exportation of urban textile and second-hand waste. This event, organised by Ecomondo and UNIRAU, will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with textile waste management.
Ecomondo’s full programme, coordinated by its Scientific Committee chaired by Professor Fabio Fava, will provide a platform for experts to address these and other environmental issues, ensuring that the event remains a global beacon for sustainability.
For further information, the constantly updated programme is available online here link.