At the 10th e-Governance Conference, titled “Unlocking Digital Success,” key enablers will delve into critical areas of digital transformation: enhancing people’s skills, strategically selecting modern technologies, implementing systematic processes, and fostering governance for effective stakeholder engagement.
Set to convene in Tartu, Estonia, on May 22-23, this event will gather over 500 digital development decision-makers, policy implementers, and donors from 67 countries, marking a significant milestone in the global digital transformation agenda.
The attendees will include 13 high-level officials and digital leaders from diverse nations such as Angola, Chile, Costa Rica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nigeria, Turks and Caicos, and Ukraine.
Who will be the speakers?
Speakers like Alar Karis, President of Estonia; Paula Bogantes Zamora, Costa Rica’s Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications; Andrew Grotto, former Senior Director for Cyber security Policy at the White House; and Lou Downe, former Design Director of the UK Government, will share their insights.
Hannes Astok, Executive Director of the e-Governance Academy (eGA), underlined the conference’s role in shaping digital governance strategies and fostering connections among leaders and practitioners. He highlighted the importance of learning from emerging technologies, cyber security, and geopolitical challenges to equip citizens with relevant digital skills and tools. He noted that successful digital transformation hinges on collaborative efforts both within and across countries. For example, the development of a data exchange platform in Djibouti and Benin, the creation of a digital country roadmap for Pacific countries, and cooperation with the governments of Aruba, Dominica, Namibia, and the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.
Kristina Mänd, Programme Director of the 2024 Conference, underscored that the discussions aim to address both current and future digital challenges and opportunities, from designing services and developing digital business environments to exploring digital innovations for a green transition and bolstering cyber security.
Workshops and presentations will spotlight digital governance practices from 20 countries, including Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Estonia, Finland, France, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Malawi, Moldova, Nigeria, Spain, Zambia, Turks and Caicos, the UK, Ukraine, and the USA. These sessions will provide a platform for sharing best practices and innovative solutions in digital governance.
The conference also highlights the contributions of Estonian IT companies and the eGA’s role in global digital advancement. Hannes Astok cited Ukraine as a notable example of successful digital transformation, despite the ongoing conflict. Estonia’s digital solutions and strong political will have helped Ukraine become one of the most digitized societies globally, serving as a model for other countries.
Hosted at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, the event will feature an expo showcasing digital solutions from 17 Estonian and international IT companies. The conference, organized by the e-Governance Academy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Estonian International Development Cooperation Centre (ESTDEV), celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
As Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024, hosts this landmark conference, the event stands as a testament to the global commitment to advancing digital governance and unlocking digital success for nations worldwide.