Patronage of SCCON 2026
Source: BMDS
The Federal Ministry for Digital
and State Modernization
A Key Partner of the Smart Country Convention
Advancing digitalization, reducing bureaucracy, and making government more effective – since May 2025, Germany has had a dedicated ministry that brings these responsibilities together: the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization (BMDS).
From online address registration and digital vehicle registration documents on smartphones to faster business formation, the BMDS works to ensure that digital solutions make a real difference in everyday life. The ministry is headed by Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Germany’s first Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization. From the outset, he has focused on efficiency, speed, and teamwork. His goal is a modern, digital Germany with streamlined processes and administrative structures. For him, digitalization is not an end in itself, but the key to a government that is effective, responsive, and close to its citizens. He expects the Smart Country Convention to provide fresh momentum for exactly this transformation:
“The Smart Country Convention is the central meeting place for everyone who wants to make our government noticeably more digital and innovative. Artificial intelligence, in particular, will be an important accelerator on the path toward simple, fast, and user-friendly public administration. I look forward to presenting our projects and ideas, learning from best practices, and exchanging ideas with innovative minds.”
Dr. Karsten Wildberger
Federal Minister for Digital and Administrative Modernization
“The Smart Country Convention is the central meeting place for everyone who wants to make our government noticeably more digital and innovative. Artificial intelligence, in particular, will be an important accelerator on the path toward simple, fast, and user-friendly public administration. I look forward to presenting our projects and ideas, learning from best practices, and exchanging ideas with innovative minds.”
Dr. Karsten Wildberger
Federal Minister for Digital and Administrative Modernization
We are pleased that Dr. Karsten Wildberger and the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization are once again serving as patrons of Smart Country Convention 2026.
The Topics of the BMDS
Digital Government
Bringing Services Together, Making Access Easier
The BMDS is working with federal ministries and Germany’s states to make public services fully digital and accessible to individuals and businesses across the country.
At the heart of this effort is the Germany Stack – the digital architecture for government at the federal, state, and local levels. A sovereign cloud infrastructure provides the scalability needed for digital solutions. At the application level, agentic AI, digital access to public services, and a dedicated AI platform for public administration are helping increase efficiency, speed up decision-making, and reduce bureaucracy. Common standards for development, interfaces, and interoperability ensure that individual components can work together and be expanded as needed.
The Germany Stack will also integrate additional applications such as the digital wallet and the EUDI Wallet. Digital identities, a centralized citizen account, and interconnected public registers will make many in-person visits to government offices largely unnecessary. Automated processes and modern technologies such as low-code solutions and cloud services will further improve efficiency and make public services easier to use.
Digital Government
Bringing Services Together, Making Access Easier
The BMDS is working with federal ministries and Germany’s states to make public services fully digital and accessible to individuals and businesses across the country.
At the heart of this effort is the Germany Stack – the digital architecture for government at the federal, state, and local levels. A sovereign cloud infrastructure provides the scalability needed for digital solutions. At the application level, agentic AI, digital access to public services, and a dedicated AI platform for public administration are helping increase efficiency, speed up decision-making, and reduce bureaucracy. Common standards for development, interfaces, and interoperability ensure that individual components can work together and be expanded as needed.
The Germany Stack will also integrate additional applications such as the digital wallet and the EUDI Wallet. Digital identities, a centralized citizen account, and interconnected public registers will make many in-person visits to government offices largely unnecessary. Automated processes and modern technologies such as low-code solutions and cloud services will further improve efficiency and make public services easier to use.
Artificial Intelligence
Automating Routine Tasks, Empowering Employees
The BMDS sees artificial intelligence (AI) not only as a key technology with tremendous potential, but also as a critical factor in strengthening government’s ability to act. AI can simplify administrative processes and improve communication with citizens.
In complex review and approval processes, initial pilot projects are already showing that AI can significantly reduce processing times. AI-powered assistance systems such as SPARK help employees by taking on routine tasks.
The BMDS is working to bring AI into widespread use across public administration in a way that is legally compliant, sovereign, and scalable.
Modernizing Government
Reducing Bureaucracy, Streamlining Structures
The BMDS is working to streamline government, simplify administrative processes, and deliver tangible relief for citizens and businesses.
With the Modernization Agenda, the federal and state governments are working together for the first time toward a common goal. Outdated regulations, duplicate structures, and unnecessary reporting requirements are being eliminated, while key responsibilities are being consolidated. Instead of making people move from agency to agency, data should move instead. Under the “once-only” principle, documents and information will only need to be submitted once.
Artificial intelligence, agile methods, and flexible work models are helping foster a modern culture in public administration. The Immediate Action Program for Bureaucracy Reduction is providing relief particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Modernizing Government
Reducing Bureaucracy, Streamlining Structures
The BMDS is working to streamline government, simplify administrative processes, and deliver tangible relief for citizens and businesses.
With the Modernization Agenda, the federal and state governments are working together for the first time toward a common goal. Outdated regulations, duplicate structures, and unnecessary reporting requirements are being eliminated, while key responsibilities are being consolidated. Instead of making people move from agency to agency, data should move instead. Under the “once-only” principle, documents and information will only need to be submitted once.
Artificial intelligence, agile methods, and flexible work models are helping foster a modern culture in public administration. The Immediate Action Program for Bureaucracy Reduction is providing relief particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Digital Economy
Driving Innovation, Accelerating Digital Transformation
To ensure that Germany remains competitive internationally, the BMDS is creating an innovation-friendly environment for the use of artificial intelligence and the data economy.
This includes clear rules – such as the AI Market Surveillance and Innovation Promotion Act (KI-MIG) – as well as secure testing environments that support businesses and research institutions. By strengthening the open data ecosystem, establishing data intermediaries, and modernizing data protection, the BMDS is making it easier to access and reuse data with legal certainty. With its data center strategy, the ministry aims to create stronger incentives for investment in the computing infrastructure Germany needs.
Access to data enables organizations to generate their own insights and develop innovative solutions. The goal is to actively foster economic growth, create new jobs, and drive social progress. In close cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), and other federal ministries, the BMDS is also working to improve conditions for innovative companies to start and scale. After all, shaping the digital future with technological sovereignty requires a competitive, innovation-friendly environment in which homegrown builders can thrive.
Digital Sovereignty
Strengthening Our Ability to Act, Securing Independence
The BMDS is strategically realigning Germany’s digital policy to reduce technological dependencies and better protect critical infrastructure.
The focus is on the targeted development of key European technologies – including AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, and cybersecurity – as well as on promoting trusted, interoperable systems. The Sovereign Tech Agency and ZenDiS GmbH support open-source projects as part of this effort.
The government is also creating incentives for Germany’s digital economy and can exclude providers that fail to meet security standards. By consolidating IT procurement, the government can act as an anchor customer, helping accelerate innovation and bring new technologies to market faster.
Digital Sovereignty
Strengthening Our Ability to Act, Securing Independence
The BMDS is strategically realigning Germany’s digital policy to reduce technological dependencies and better protect critical infrastructure.
The focus is on the targeted development of key European technologies – including AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, and cybersecurity – as well as on promoting trusted, interoperable systems. The Sovereign Tech Agency and ZenDiS GmbH support open-source projects as part of this effort.
The government is also creating incentives for Germany’s digital economy and can exclude providers that fail to meet security standards. By consolidating IT procurement, the government can act as an anchor customer, helping accelerate innovation and bring new technologies to market faster.
Digital Infrastructure
Expanding Networks, Ensuring Connectivity
High-performance, nationwide connectivity is essential for economic growth, social participation, and effective government. It is the foundation of digital transformation.
The BMDS is creating better conditions for network expansion. The expansion of fiber-optic and mobile networks has already been designated a matter of “overriding public interest.” The amended Telecommunications Act introduces a wide range of measures to speed up approval processes and reduce bureaucracy. Fiber-optic connections should not stop at the curb but extend into every building and home. Mobile networks should also reach people wherever they live, work, and travel.
Private investment is the primary driver of network expansion, complemented by targeted public funding in underserved regions. The BMDS’s goal is to make the best possible connectivity available to everyone.
International Digital Policy
Shaping the Rules, Moving Forward Together
Germany plays an active role in European and international digital policy, helping shape the digital transformation based on European values.
At the EU level, the BMDS represents Germany’s interests by advocating, among other things, for a significant simplification of the digital regulatory framework and for the implementation of EU regulations in ways that support business and foster innovation. Close cooperation with other EU member states is another key priority.
Beyond Europe, the BMDS is expanding digital policy partnerships with key countries such as Canada and India to strengthen digital sovereignty and open markets. In international forums such as the G7, G20, OECD, and United Nations, the ministry advocates for balanced governance approaches that address both the opportunities and risks of digital technologies, protect democratic values, and promote a free, secure, and open internet.
International Digital Policy
Shaping the Rules, Moving Forward Together
Germany plays an active role in European and international digital policy, helping shape the digital transformation based on European values.
At the EU level, the BMDS represents Germany’s interests by advocating, among other things, for a significant simplification of the digital regulatory framework and for the implementation of EU regulations in ways that support business and foster innovation. Close cooperation with other EU member states is another key priority.
Beyond Europe, the BMDS is expanding digital policy partnerships with key countries such as Canada and India to strengthen digital sovereignty and open markets. In international forums such as the G7, G20, OECD, and United Nations, the ministry advocates for balanced governance approaches that address both the opportunities and risks of digital technologies, protect democratic values, and promote a free, secure, and open internet.
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