The Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS) is taking over patronage of the Smart Country Convention 2025. Previously, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Affairs (BMI) was patron of the leading event for the digitalization of the public sector.

Digitalization in close cooperation

"We want to make everyday life easier for citizens by making the administration modern, efficient and user-centred. The state must be orientated towards the living environment of people and companies and be a service provider. To achieve this, we urgently need uniform standards, digital tools and platforms for the federal, state and local governments. With the Germany Stack, we are working on a common IT infrastructure that is interoperable, secure and connectable across Europe. The Smart Country Convention is the ideal place to further develop the vision of a digital 'Next Germany' together with federal states, municipalities and companies and to translate it into practice. I am delighted to be the patron of the Smart Country Convention," says Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital and State Modernization.

The ministry has set ambitious goals for a sustainable public sector for the legislative period, including digital sovereignty, promoting innovation, and reducing bureaucracy.

"The federal government has concentrated the most important digital policy issues in the Ministry of Digital and State Modernization. It is only logical that the patronage of the Smart Country Convention is also being transferred from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The new Federal Ministry of Digital and State Modernization is the ideal partner for the event. Successful digitization of public administration is a catalyst for the modernization of the economy and society,“ says Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst. ”90 percent of citizens want their city or municipal administration to pursue the issue of digitization with greater vigor. Successful digitization also strengthens trust in government institutions."

New impetus at the Smart Country Convention 2025

From September 30 to October 2, the Smart Country Convention 2025 will bring together more than 18,000 participants, 650 speakers, and 400 exhibitors at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. The focus will be on the pressing challenges facing the public sector: administrative digitization, cybersecurity, smart infrastructures, and AI.

Further information on the event and patronage can be found on the website of the Smart Country Convention.

Free event tickets are available from the Smart Country Convention ticket shop.