Skopje, 2 October 2025 – The seventh edition of the Western Balkans Digital Summit (WBDS), co-organised by the Government of North Macedonia and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), opened today in Skopje, reaffirming the region’s commitment to digital transformation, cooperation, and European integration.

In his keynote remarks, RCC Secretary General, Amer Kapetanović, highlighted the progress achieved and the priorities ahead. “Digitalisation is not just a goal, it is a transformative force. The success of our ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime shows what the region can achieve when working together. Now, we must take the next steps: building interoperable Digital ID Wallets, advancing trust services, aligning with the EU’s digital frameworks, and ensuring that our youth and businesses have the tools to thrive in the digital age,” said Kapetanović.

Opening the Summit, Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski underlined the importance of investing in digitalisation for the prosperity and stability of the region. “Skopje is proud to once again host this flagship regional platform, bringing together governments, businesses, and international partners to accelerate our digital journey. For our citizens, digitalisation means better services, more opportunities, and stronger connectivity with Europe. This Summit is a reminder that together we can unlock the region’s full potential,” said Prime Minister Mickoski.

The Summit also featured partner remarks from Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the European Commission; Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Thomas Jarzombek, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Government Modernization; and Svyatoslav Senyuta, Government Solutions Regional Leader at Visa. Their interventions stressed the importance of regional cooperation, EU alignment, and private sector partnerships in advancing the digital agenda.

Later today, Danijela Gačević, Head of Programme Department at the RCC, will moderate the ministerial panel titled “Digital by Default - Making Public Services Work for Everyone”, which will bring together ministers and senior officials from across the Western Balkans, including Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation of Albania; Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro; Stefan Andonovski, Minister of Digital Transformation North Macedonia; Slaviša Antić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Technology of Serbia; Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister of Economy of Kosovo* ; and Almir Badnjević, Director of Bosnia and Herzegovina's IDDEEA.
Over these two days, the WBDS 2025 participants - decision-makers, experts, businesses, and innovators from across the Western Balkans, the EU, and beyond - will discuss digital services, E-wallet, interoperability, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, e-services, and skills development.

The Western Balkans Digital Summit is organised under the framework of the Common Regional Market Action Plan and the EU Growth Plan, and is co-funded by the European Union.  

For more information, visit: www.digitalsummitwb6.com

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence