Leading politicians from the German government, the EU Commission and the Bavarian state government underscore the high relevance of environmental technologies​ ​

With its opening by high-ranking representatives from the German government, the European Commission and the Free State of Bavaria, IFAT Munich 2026 is focusing on environmental technologies as a key lever for climate protection, resource security and resilient infrastructures. The world’s leading trade fair is thus underscoring its role as a platform that brings together political objectives and practical solutions. Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Bavaria’s Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber have announced their visit to the exhibition center in Munich. They will open IFAT Munich 2026 together with the Management Board of Messe München on Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. on the Blue Stage.

“Reducing dependencies, increasing resilience, strengthening supply security, and ensuring climate and resource protection are becoming increasingly important, especially in geopolitically volatile times” says Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München. “Environmental technologies and IFAT as a global platform offer solutions for precisely this. That’s why it is particularly important that the industry receives this attention and priority from politicians – both nationally and internationally.”

Day of Resilient Municipalities

What is negotiated politically and regulated at international and national level ultimately has an impact at municipal level: It is the municipalities that put the circular economy into practice, for example, in water management, waste treatment or infrastructure planning. At the same time, they themselves are under growing pressure. Extreme weather events, water shortages and an increasing burden on existing infrastructures make resilient, resource-saving solutions indispensable on site. Against this background, IFAT Munich will have a separate focus on the municipal sector.

Under the title “Day of Resilient Municipalities”, IFAT Munich will specifically address the challenges facing cities and municipalities on Thursday, May 7. In cooperation with the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW), the German Association for Water Management (DWA) and the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), the program offers lectures, expert panels and guided tours. The aim is to provide decision-makers from the municipal sector with practical inspiration and concrete solutions.

Varied event program

The trade fair will be accompanied by a varied event program focusing on transferring innovations into practice. Guided solution tours, live demonstrations and topic-specific presentations will enable visitors to experience technologies and applications first-hand.