IFAT : IFAT Saudi Arabia set to debut in January 2026

Saudi Arabia’s capital is set to become the hub for environmental innovation when IFAT Saudi Arabia debuts at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center from 26 to 28 January 2026. Organised by dmg events and licensed by Messe München, with the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN) as the founding and strategic partner, the event will be the Kingdom’s most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to waste, water, and environmental technologies. 

Combining international expertise with national ambition, it arrives at a crucial time, offering international solution providers a direct channel to engage with a rapidly growing, sustainability-driven market. With private investment opportunities worth over $112 billion in the Kingdom’s waste management and over $80 billion towards the development of key water projects, the event is highly anticipated (Source: National Center for Waste Management, MWAN) and Dr Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani’s speech at the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York). Saudi Arabia is actively reshaping its water sector in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with the aim of preserving water resources, expanding sanitation coverage to over 95% by 2030, and ensuring universal access to clean water. (Source: World Health Organization).

The country's growing influence in the sustainability space worldwide is reflected in this inaugural edition in Saudi Arabia, which is part of the internationally renowned IFAT brand. This brand hosts 11 successful trade fairs across seven countries. The event closely aligns with the nation’s Vision 2030 and Net Zero 2060 goals, as well as its ambitious transition towards a circular economy. MWAN’s involvement as a Founding and Strategic Partner highlights its national importance and regulatory relevance.

"IFAT Saudi Arabia provides a unique platform for direct dialogue between regulators and the private sector," said Sultan F. AlHarthi, MWAN’s Corporate Communications Executive Director. "It comes at a time when the Kingdom is executing its national waste strategy, which includes targets of 90% landfill diversion and 91% waste segregation at source by 2040." National Center for Waste Management (MWAN). This exhibition supports that mission by accelerating technology adoption and public–private collaboration.

Commenting on the launch, Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “The launch of IFAT Saudi Arabia marks a major milestone for the environmental technology landscape in the region. We are bringing together the international IFAT network with our local expertise and knowledge to create an event that accelerates innovation, attracts investment and drives long-term impact. With growing demand across the water and waste sectors, IFAT Saudi Arabia will offer industry professionals a space to source solutions, exchange insights and navigate the region’s evolving environment.”

“The Saudi Arabian debut of this exhibition marks a significant extension of our international IFAT network into one of the most lucrative environmental markets in the world,” said Katharina Schlegel, Global Industry Lead IFAT. “In close alignment with our partners, we are establishing a trade show that supports the Kingdom’s environmental ambitions while delivering international standards of excellence. This partnership brings our global expertise into a region undergoing rapid transformation and positions IFAT Saudi Arabia as a strategic meeting point for industry, innovation and impact.”

With over 450 exhibitors from more than 30 countries showcasing more than 3,500 products and solutions, IFAT Saudi Arabia supports sectors including waste management, recycling, water treatment, power recovery, air pollution control, desalination, and the digitalisation of environmental services. The event also hosts a strategic summit: a high-level, invitation-only gathering of policymakers, regulators, and public and private sector leaders. This will explore regulatory pathways, investment priorities and visionary strategies that are reshaping the region’s environmental framework.

Complementing this is a conference programme, which is open to all attendees and is divided across thematic stages. The Blue Stage will focus on smart water management, desalination and non-conventional water resources, while the Orange Stage will address smart waste technologies, energy-from-waste systems and resource recovery.

As the Kingdom redefines its environmental footprint, the demand for advanced technologies is surging. Saudi Arabia aims to meet 90% of its water demand through desalination by 2030, and new plants are already being built to help it reach this target (source: Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture). In parallel, the green technology sustainability market is expected to grow to $12.83 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7% (source: Research and Markets). 

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), the Municipal Water Company (MWAN) and other public agencies are investing in long-term infrastructure to meet national goals, including the construction of 848 new recovery and treatment facilities by 2040, as well as circular economy targets such as preparing 79% of all waste for recycling and reducing waste generation per capita by 3% by 2040 (source: MWAN). 

Through IFAT Saudi Arabia, companies offering solutions in hydraulic engineering, water and sewage systems, power efficiency, pollution control and environmental services can connect with qualified buyers from both the public and private sectors who are actively sourcing solutions. Expected attendees include representatives from municipalities, utility firms, infrastructure developers, construction contractors, food and beverage manufacturers, mining companies, and research organisations.

Countries confirmed to showcase their environmental innovations include China, Egypt, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, with dedicated international pavilions from Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom, among others. These will sit alongside leading Saudi Arabian and regional companies, all of whom are committed to supporting the Kingdom’s environmental transformation journey.

With demand for sustainable infrastructure at an all-time high, IFAT Saudi Arabia presents an unparalleled opportunity to discover solutions, develop partnerships, and help to shape the future of the green economy in the MENA region.

For more information, visit www.ifat-saudiarabia.com.

WMW is a media partner of IFAT Saudi Arabia.