Morocco will be “a key player” in the 27th edition of the green technology fair “Ecomondo 2024,” scheduled from November 5 to 8 at the Rimini exhibition center in Italy, stated Alessandra Astolfi, the international exhibitions director responsible for the green and technological division of the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).
“Morocco will be a key player at Ecomondo 2024, actively participating in the ‘Africa Green Growth Forum,’ which will focus on environmental sustainability and economic cooperation issues in Africa,” Ms. Astolfi emphasized in an interview with MAP.
One of the main points of the forum will be the Mattei plan, which promotes the creation of a center of excellence based in Morocco, intended for the entire African continent, for training in renewable energies and energy transition, specified the IEG official, organizer of the fair.
This structure, she continued, will have the mission of developing essential managerial and professional skills.
In collaboration with partners such as RES4Africa and the International Finance Corporation, the plan supports strategic projects aimed at stimulating sustainable growth and socio-economic improvement, also involving other African nations, Ms. Astolfi stressed.
In this regard, she noted that this new edition will pay particular attention to Africa, “a continent with enormous potential for the development of renewable energies and the adoption of circular economy practices.”
She specified that the main themes will include a dialogue platform on the challenges of sustainable development and “green” socio-economic growth on the African continent, in line with the Mattei plan of the Italian government, which foresees investments of about 1.5 billion euros to support sustainable projects in Africa, including green technologies and natural resource management.
“Very vulnerable to climate change (drought, rising sea levels, and soil degradation), Africa will benefit from the sustainable solutions proposed by ‘Ecomondo,'” she estimated. Solutions that aim not only to mitigate environmental problems but also to promote sustainable socio-economic development in the region through the Forum for Green Growth in Africa, Ms. Astolfi informed.
She also indicated that the “Ecomondo 2024” fair aims to be a “unique” opportunity for Italian companies wishing to position themselves as leaders in the global market while promoting innovation and sustainability.
“As a preferred meeting platform, Ecomondo allows Italian know-how and the excellence of ‘Made in Europe’ to meet the growing global demand for green solutions, stimulating strategic partnerships, investments, and new opportunities for international expansion,” Ms. Astolfi said, noting that this new edition will be divided into six macro-thematic areas.
These include waste as a resource, the water cycle and blue economy, circular and regenerative bioeconomy, bioenergy and agroecology, site and soil restoration, as well as environmental monitoring and control, she listed.
Ms. Astolfi also announced that the “circular and healthy city” domain will be the novelty of the fair, focusing on smart cities and green jobs, with discussions on urban regeneration, policies aimed at improving quality of life, and climate change adaptation strategies.
More than 650 participants from North Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America are expected at this 27th edition of the green technology fair. They represent over 100 countries and 72 organizations, institutions, and sectoral associations from around the world.