IFAT Saudi Arabia Opens in Riyadh with Record 450+ Exhibitors Showcasing Environmental Innovation

IFAT Saudi Arabia has officially opened its doors in Riyadh, marking the biggest launch in the event’s 60-year history with more than 450 local and international exhibitors. The inaugural edition, which opened on January 27, 2026, brings together cutting-edge technologies and solutions across waste management, water, recycling, and the circular economy under the patronage of His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The three-day exhibition at Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center represents a milestone for environmental technology in the Kingdom, with the presence of His Excellency Carsten Schneider, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, highlighting the international significance of the event.

Transforming Waste Management into Economic Opportunity

During the opening ceremony, Minister AlFadley emphasized the strategic importance of IFAT Saudi Arabia in advancing the Kingdom’s sustainability goals. He outlined how waste management has evolved from an operational challenge into a genuine economic opportunity.

“Waste management is no longer only an operational challenge; it is a real opportunity to redesign value chains, turn waste into value-added resources, and accelerate the circular economy. From this standpoint, we have established a clear legislative and regulatory framework and launched more than 500 investment opportunities over the next 25 years.”

His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture

The Minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s water sector transformation, noting that production capacity has exceeded 16 million cubic meters per day, with nearly 33% of treated wastewater being reused to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency.

International Collaboration Drives Environmental Progress

German Federal Minister Carsten Schneider praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the circular economy and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the shared vision between Germany and the Kingdom.

“One of the greatest challenges of our time is preserving the natural foundations of life on Earth. I am pleased to see Saudi Arabia investing in the circular economy on a large scale to drive forward the transition using the latest technologies. The Vision 2030 Strategy and the Saudi Green Initiative form an impressive framework for achieving these goals.”

His Excellency Carsten Schneider, German Federal Minister for the Environment

SAR 750 Billion Investment Creates 500+ Opportunities

Dr. Abdullah Al-Sebaei, Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN), presented Saudi Arabia’s national waste strategy to attendees. He explained how a massive SAR 750 billion investment has generated more than 500 cross-sector investment opportunities throughout the Kingdom, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for environmental technology and services.

Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München, celebrated the achievement of bringing IFAT Saudi Arabia to Riyadh, noting the Kingdom’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious markets. He emphasized the significance of launching the 60th anniversary celebrations and 12th edition of the show in the Saudi capital.

Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Circular Economy

The opening ceremony witnessed several significant memoranda of understanding signings that demonstrate strong public-private collaboration. MWAN signed MoUs with multiple entities including:

• Saudi Water Authority (SWA)
• Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre (RIPC)
• King Salman International Airport
• Estidamah
• NEOM

Additionally, the Saudi Investment and Recycling Company (SIRC) signed a partnership with Hydrogen Utopia, while the National Academy for the Environment formalized an agreement with the Water Academy, further strengthening the Kingdom’s environmental infrastructure.

Running until January 28, 2026, IFAT Saudi Arabia serves as a strategic platform for direct dialogue between government entities, regulators, and industry leaders, supporting collaboration and accelerating the adoption of best practices across the environment, water, and waste management sectors in alignment with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.