One of the last major sessions at the Prespa Forum Dialogue 2023 was the panel discussion "Digital Transformation Connects: Perspectives for Building Partnerships in the Western Balkans".  Minister Stojmenova Duh was a special guest speaker.

Other panellists included Azir Aliu, Minister of Information Society and Administration of North Macedonia, Aino Lepik Von Wiren, Director General of the Department for European and Trans-Atlantic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Damjan Manchevski, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of North Macedonia, Ermira Idrizi, Lecturer at the South East European University, Dzabir Derala, NGO representative, and Drita Abdiu-Halili, State Secretary for European Affairs.  They discussed the challenges and opportunities regarding digital transformation in the Western Balkan countries.

They agreed that citizens' trust in technology, increased investment, improving digital skills for all age groups, the Government's cooperation with civil society, and the creation of a digital ecosystem involving all stakeholders – at both the national and regional levels – are of key importance to digital transformation.

"Digital transformation is not just a matter for the Government, but requires everyone's involvement and participation. The Government needs to provide the necessary resources, non-governmental organisations need to work with people on the ground, researchers and the academic sphere need to develop up-to-date programmes and training, and businesses need to invest in their employees.  It is important to recognise that lifelong learning is crucial. We all need to keep learning," said Minister Stojmenova Duh, among other things.

On the margins of the Prespa Forum Dialogue 2023, on the last day, Minister Stojmenova Duh met with Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and Albert Hani, Secretary General of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), which promotes reconciliation and cooperation among young people in the region through exchange programmes.

She and Secretary General Bregu discussed the digitisation of public administration and businesses and digital services in the Western Balkan countries, while she and Secretary General Hani discussed strengthening cooperation on inclusive digitisation, encouraging girls to consider careers in the ICT sector, as well as hate speech, misinformation and online violence among young people.