At the world's leading industrial trade fair, the EU presents itself as a strong economic alliance almost two months before the European elections. Last year, industry contributed around 23.5 percent to the EU's gross domestic product, the service sector around 64.5 percent.

The EU will take part in the Hannover Messe in different formats and thus send a strong signal for a European industrial policy. The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will speak at the official opening ceremony on April 21, 2024. On the first day of the trade fair (April 22), the EU conference “EU as Home of the Decarbonized Industry” will take place in the Convention Center at the exhibition center in Hanover. At the event, industry representatives can exchange ideas with high-ranking EU politicians to discuss relevant topics such as the Green Deal. On the evening of the first day of the trade fair, participants are invited to the traditional European political reception organized by Deutsche Messe and the VDMA.

The European Commission will take part in the trade fair with a large pavilion in Energy Hall 12. The implementation is carried out by the Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). Similar to 2023, there will once again be a prominent auditorium for presentations and panels with experts from the European Commission. The Brussels Directorates General of Energy (DG ENER), Trade (DG TRADE), Climate (DG CLIMA), Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and Digital (DG CNCT) relevant to industrial policy are also involved. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and partners from industry and associations are also involved. The exhibition exhibits represent companies and stakeholders from EU member states. Each of the five days of the trade fair will have a different thematic focus. Topics under discussion include access to finance, decarbonized industry, supply chains, skills, access to raw materials and clean energy.