Prishtina, 13 October, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, today participated in the opening of the 12th edition of the Technology Festival “KosICT”, organized by the Association of Technology, Information and Communication in Kosovo (STIKK), with the central theme “Discover the limits of young people”.
Calling the “KosICT” festival a proof of the great importance of the ICT sector in our country, Prime Minister Kurti in this opening underlined that digitization remains a high priority of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.
“Until the end of 2025, investments in e-government, e-health, and digitization in education and cyber security in Kosovo will exceed the value of 80 million euros. Based on the strategic documents that we have completed, by 2027 this figure is expected to reach 130 million euros”, said the Prime Minister, adding that these investments represent our unwavering commitment to empower our citizens and businesses, to promote innovation and to ensure that Kosovo overcomes in the field of digital transformation.
Just this week, as the Prime Minister said, we have witnessed some extraordinary moments in our journey towards digitalization, potentiating the adoption of the new e-Government Strategy 2023-2027, an ambitious initiative that aims to significantly transform our public services, as well as the new Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2027, which comprehensively addresses all aspects of cyber security
Another important achievement is the approval by the Government of the 5-year program with the World Bank, entitled “Strengthening digital governance for the provision of services”, which includes a loan of 18.5 million euros that will finance over 50% of the activities in the 3-year action plan of our new E-Governance Strategy.
In this promising sector, another vital cornerstone is USAID’s 5-year program, “Activity for e-Governance in Kosovo”, with a budget of 10.9 million dollars, while the Government yesterday also approved the list of ICT professionals and cyber security who will be categorized as experts responsible for government systems of strategic importance, as well as inaugurated the Digital Technology Park in Bërnica with an investment of 1.2 million euros.
With all these recently noted achievements, at the opening of “KosICT”, the prime minister called to embrace the spirit of exploration, innovation and the limitless potential that technology offers us.
This year, from October 13 to 14, the “KosICT” festival will hold activities with discussions, ideas and networking opportunities, all of which will revolve around three main themes: Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Digital Transformation.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
There were three zeros twice last night. Today there is no match, but we will continue the same in other fields, and where is better than with this important event for Kosovo and the region in the digital transformation organized by KosICT, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart.
I’m sorry I’m wearing a bit too much protocol because I have to meet the two senators from here and believe me I can travel from city to city with a suitcase, but not within the city, so it becomes impossible to function normally.
Now I will continue my next speech in English because of the large number of English-speaking guests who are here among us.
Dear Minister Rizvanolli,
Dear management of STIKK, chairman Sadiku, and director Çavolli,
Dear Ambassadors,
Dear Mayor Rama,
Dear guests and members of the ICT community,
I am deeply honored to stand before you today at the 12th edition of KOSICT – an event that has grown to become the most prominent tech festival in our region. KOSICT is a celebration of innovation and the limitless potential of technology, and a testament to the huge importance that the information and communication technology sector has in our country. The theme for this year’s festival, “Discover New Limits,” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of exploration, innovation, and progress that defines the world of ICT.
This week, we have witnessed some remarkable milestones in our journey towards digitalization:
Just yesterday, the government approved the new e-Government Strategy 2023-2027, an ambitious initiative that aims to substantially transform our public services. This strategy introduces some key reforms, including a strategic approach to cloud, the development of a national enterprise architecture and interoperability framework, the establishment of a data governance body, implementing a service delivery model based on life events of citizens, and creating integrated service delivery centers. Notably, even before the strategy’s official approval, we have started the piloting of proactive services related to the life event of a child’s birth.
Furthermore, the government also approved the new Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2027 on the very same day, therefore yesterday. This decision was no mere coincidence; it underscores our belief that e-government and cyber security are intricately connected. The Cyber Security Strategy comprehensively addresses all aspects of cyber security, from advancing legislation and institutional capacities to promoting a culture of cyber security awareness in Kosova, supporting private sector development and fostering public-private partnerships to building a sustainable workforce, enhancing our capabilities in cyber investigation and defense, and fostering national and international cooperation.
Yesterday, again yesterday, also a program with the World Bank, titled “Strengthening Digital Governance for Service Delivery” marked a significant milestone with the approval with our governance, this 5-year program. This program includes an 18.5 million Euro loan that will finance over 50% of the activities in the 3-year action plan of our new E-Government Strategy.
This week, we celebrated the commencement of the USAID 5-year program, “Kosova e-Governance Activity,” with a budget of 10.9 million dollars. This program will be another vital cornerstone of support for the implementation of our e-government strategy. Once more, yesterday, the government approved the list of ICT and cyber security professionals which will be categorized as experts responsible for the government systems of strategic importance. These experts are treated as a distinct category of civil servants based on the new law on public sector salaries adopted in February. This measure is pivotal in attracting and retaining qualified ICT and cyber security professionals in government, and it is an essential enabler for the implementation of our digitalization initiatives.
And the inauguration of the Digital Technology Park in Bernica yesterday, again yesterday, is the culmination of developments in this digitally intensive week in Kosova. With an investment of 1.2 million Euros, the government has transformed a 4,000 m2 government-owned building into a state-of-the-art technology park. This valuable asset has been handed over to STIKK, which will continue managing the park for the next 5 years. The park will serve as a vital platform in our innovation ecosystem, further supporting the growth and development of the ICT industry in Kosova.
These developments underscore the high priority we place on digitalization. By the end of 2025, the investments in e-government, e-health, digitalization in education, and cyber security in Kosova will exceed 80 million Euros. Based on the strategic documents we have completed, by 2027, this figure is expected to reach 130 million Euros. These investments are not just monetary; they represent our unwavering commitment to empowering our citizens and businesses, fostering innovation, and ensuring that Kosova leapfrogs in the realm of digital transformation.
As we gather at the KOSICT 2023, under the slogan “Discover New Limits,” I encourage all of you, the bright minds of our ICT community, to embrace the spirit of exploration, innovation, and the limitless potential that technology offers. Together, we can redefine boundaries, address challenges, and make our digital aspirations a reality.
The day before yesterday, I came back from Liverpool and we had such e great set of achievements yesterday, but the analogy ends here, because don’t mind the lyrics of “The Beatles” song.
“Today is even more beautiful and successful than yesterday.”
Thank you very much and I wish you all a most successful KosICT 2023!
Last modified: October 13, 2023