1,750 exhibitors, 61 countries, around 300 specialist forums - Berlin goes green from 18 to 27 January. Visitors to the 84th International Green Week (IGW) can try international and regional specialities from all over the world, and inform themselves about the topics of nutrition, agriculture and gardening. At the same time, the fair offers numerous forums and events for trade visitors. A highlight: the 11th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), in which Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel will also take part.  "I am delighted that I can speak to many agriculture ministers from all over the world," said Merkel in the run-up to the forum.

The annual International Green Week is the world's biggest exhibition and trade fair for the food, agriculture and gardening industries. Around 400,000 visitors attend every year, to inform themselves about topics such as the latest current culinary trends, or innovations in agriculture. The partner country of this year’s IGW - International Green Week is Finland. Under the motto "From the Wild", the Scandinavian country will focus on the variety of its domestic products and specialities.

"Agriculture with heart and drone"

Under the motto "And what's coming tomorrow? Agriculture with heart and drone", the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture will showcase why diversity is important, what constitutes modern plant breeding, and what agriculture 4.0 looks like at theIGW - International Green Week. For example, visitors can learn how feeding and manure removal robots work, and how intelligent packaging can check the freshness of the food inside with the help of an integrated sensor. In addition, there is a wide range of information and participative offers, including on balanced diet and sustainable consumption, animal welfare and consumer protection. The fair also provides information on organic farming, and offers which inspire "a yearning for the countryside". Furthermore, guests at the IGW - International Green Week will have numerous opportunities for discussions with experts from the worlds of politics and science, and to engage in conversation with farmers.

Cocoa, Coffee, Cashews

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is also represented with its partners. Their participation is under the motto: "A world without hunger is possible". In an interactive exhibition, guests can follow the path from the cocoa plantation to the chocolate fountain, and the cashew tree to the cereal bowl. In addition, visitors can learn how they can also make a contribution to fair trade and better nutrition in developing countries in their everyday lives.

Global Forum for Food and Agriculture

The 11th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) - in short: World Food Conference - takes place from 17 to 19 January. The host is Germany. The conference will bring together more than 2,000 international visitors from industry, academia, civil society and politics. Under the motto "Agriculture Goes Digital – Smart Solutions for Future Farming", they will discuss the use of digital technologies and their impact on nature, economy and society.

The GFFA - Global Forum for Food and Agriculture will conclude with the Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Conference on 19 January. With agriculture ministers from around 70 countries and representatives of international organisations, this annual meeting is one of the most important international agricultural political events.

The focus of the 11th World Food Conference is on one of the most important global challenges of our time: providing adequate food for the steadily-growing global population, and at the same time ensuring resource, environmental and climate protection. Here, it is important to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalisation. The Federal Chancellor will also speak on the importance of digitalisation for agriculture.

Forum on the Future of Rural Development

Topics such as modern infrastructure and good healthcare, attractive jobs and good accessibility, as well as cultural and educational offers in the countryside - these are all in focus at the "Future Forum Rural Areas - Common Tasks for State and Society". Germany's largest networking event on the future of rural development will take place on 23 and 24 January. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will open the forum.