German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier opens Grüne Woche
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary, the German head of state praised the trade fair in his speech at the City Cube as a place of debate where important questions about the future are discussed.
One hundred years after its founding, the German head of state praised the trade fair as a place of debate where important questions about the future are discussed. Other politicians who gave speeches at the opening of Grüne Woche in the City Cube included Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, Manuela Schwesig as Minister-President of the partner state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, EU Commissioner Christophe Hansen, and Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer.
The sounds of the David Hermlin Swing Orchestra transported the approximately 2,000 invited guests back to the founding years of Grüne Woche. Film clips told the story from then until now. Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, spoke of the upheavals and new beginnings that the trade fair has experienced. He said it was a place of enjoyment and experience – and at the same time a political platform of the utmost internationality.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated Grüne Woche, which he said shines beyond Berlin. Since its inception, it has contributed to bringing the city and the countryside closer together. To this day, life experiences differ. Reducing bureaucracy should help keep agricultural professions attractive. Even though he understands the concerns, he is convinced of new alliances such as the Mercosur Agreement. How we want to live and how we want to feed ourselves are major questions for the future that will be discussed at Grüne Woche.
For Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, the trade fair—just like Berlin—stands for cosmopolitanism, diversity, and innovation. It has a firm place in the Berliners' calendar of events and is an absolute success story. The city and the countryside need each other. The trade fair offers an opportunity for exchange and cohesion.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the first German state to be a partner of Grüne Woche this year. Minister President Manuela Schwesig expressed her pride that her state has been participating in the fair with its own exhibition for 25 years. She said the fair is a real showcase for companies. Contrary to the national trend, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is experiencing economic growth, made possible by close cooperation between sectors such as agriculture and tourism. Agriculture and nature conservation are not seen as competitors, but as partners.
At a panel discussion on the topic of “Agriculture and Food – Paths to the Future,” Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer spoke out in favor of not talking Germany down, while at the same time reducing bureaucracy and giving agriculture more freedom. Farmers' President Joachim Rukwied described Grüne Woche as an excellent platform for dialogue, which must be continued in the country. For Christophe Hansen, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, productivity and economic efficiency are important aspects of sustainability that are needed to initiate a generational change in agriculture. Dr. Christian von Boetticher, CEO of the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE), spoke in favor of growth impulses from politics.
At a reception afterwards, the invited guests had the opportunity to network.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the opening of Grüne Woche 2026 in the City Cube.