Promoting digital transformation as a prerequisite for smart development in the UfM region

• The 4^th UfM Digital Transformation Conference will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, and will bring together a broad spectrum of partners and stakeholders, mostly young entrepreneurs and experts, to discuss the future of digital skills, digital rights, and the role of cities. It will be the first UfM event to be held in Slovakia.
• Since the 1^st UfM Digital Transformation Conference (Tallin, 2019), several global disruptions have accelerated the pace of digitalisation and have been reshaping not only the labour maket, but also livelihoods, especially in cities and urban centres. The UfM region still features structural imbalances and disparities in digital skills and digital innovation.

Bratislava, 16-17 July 2025. The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, adopted in 2022, provides a framework for a human-centered digital transition that aligns with values of democracy, inclusion, and sustainability, which are relevant to UfM countries. This declaration emphasizes six key principles including putting people at the center of digital transformation, as well as supporting solidarity and inclusion through connectivity, digital education, training and skills.

The UfM Ministerial Declaration on Employment and Labour (2022) reaffirmed the need to “Explore pathways for accelerating digital transformation as a vehicle for the creation of more decent jobs, economic growth, and an important vector of innovation and creativity”. Moreover, the Ministers cited “the insufficient digital transformation, contributing to a widening of the digital gap” as one of the key structural challenges facing some UfM Member States.

In this spirit, the UfM is partnering with the German Development Cooperation to hold the 4^th UfM Conference on Digital Transformation in Bratislava, Slovakia on 16-17 July 2025 with a focus on the role of cities with respect to promoting Digital Rights and Digital Skills. The Conference will be supported by the European Commission (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) and will benefit from the experience of Digitálna koalícia – The National Coalition for Digital Skills and Jobs of the Slovak Republic. It will be the first UfM event to be held in Slovakia.

The Conference will bring together a broad spectrum of partners and stakeholders from both shores of the Euro-Mediterranean region to exchange insights, experiences, and best practices to address the current opportunities and challenges with respect to unleashing the full potential of digitalization in the region. It will also comprise a study visit to introduce the participants to pertinent components of the city’s digital ecosystem.