Opening, introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses

Alison Hunter – Moderator of the conference
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
Eric Beißwenger – State Minister for European and International Affairs of Bavaria (EUSALP Presidency 2026)
Leonardo Lotto – Regional Minister for European Affair, Innovation, PNRR, national policies for Mountains and Youth policies of Valle d’Aosta autonomous Region
Julie Thiran – DG REGIO EU Commission

Digital Alps Conference – 9 July 2026
Opening, introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwvI1adb4Xg&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=1

Keynote speech on EU Long-Term Vision for Alpine Areas

Angelo Cerqueti – DG AGRI EU Commission

Keynote – EU Long-Term Vision for Alpine Areas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMHcY5fZPfo&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=2

Keynote speech on the digital transformation for cohesion and resilience in mountain regions

Emilija Stojmenova Duh – University of Ljubljana, former Minister for digital transformation of the Republic of Slovenia

Keynote – The digital transformation for cohesion and resilience in mountain regions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q-gIRyZ5vI&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=3

Policy panel

Digital Policy panel for Alpine Territories: exploring digitalisation challenges and opportunities towards a shared vision for the future of mountain regions

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Speakers:

Leonardo Lotto – Regional Minister for European Affair, Innovation, PNRR, national policies for Mountains and Youth policies of Valle d’Aosta autonomous Region
Laurence Boetti-Forestier – Councillor for Cross-Border Relations of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region
Thomas Neuhäusler – Head of Unit responsible for digital topics at the Bavarian Representation in Brussels
Emilija Stojmenova Duh – University of Ljubljana
Livia Behnisch – EUSALP Youth Councillor

Digital Policy panel for Alpine Territories – Exploring digitalisation challenges and opportunities towards a shared vision for the future of mountain regions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUU71x8AiVE&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=4

Session 1
Digital Transformation of mountain territories

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Speakers:
Introduction: Carlo Vigna – AG5 Focal point on Digital Transformation
Pitcher: Gianluca Lentini – SmartCommUnity project
Pitcher: Serafin Pazos Vidal – Smart ERA project
Respondent: Angelo Cerqueti – DG AGRI

Future-Ready Alps: Session 1 – Digital Transformation of mountain territories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g0vHy7YMfc&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=5

Session 1 – Digital Transformation of mountain territories

Session 2
Future-proof Digital Infrastructures

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Speakers:

Introduction: Paolo Perucci – AG5 Focal point on Digital Infrastructures
Pitcher: Francesco Saverio Cataliotti – QCIMED project
Pitcher: Florian Maurer – Apollo project
Respondent: Thomas Kuepper – DG CNECT

Future-Ready Alps: Session 2 – Future-proof Digital Infrastructures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z7dhOfPcA0&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=6

Session 2 – Future-proof Digital Infrastructures

Session 3
Public Value in data and AI

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Speakers:

Introduction: Mario Pichler – AG5 Focal point on Data&AI
Pitcher: Kevin Boesch – Principality of Liechtenstein
Pitcher: Gianmarco Piola – Alive project
Respondent: Niklas Rakowski – EU AI Office

Future-Ready Alps: Session 3 –Public Value in Data and AI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B2RgVYfi8I&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=7

Session 3 – Public Value in Data and AI

Conclusions
“Closing remarks and steps ahead”

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Speakers:
Esa Kokkonen – The Baltic Institute of Finland
Chiara Cortiana – EUSALP Youth Councillor
Carlo Vigna – EUSALP AG5 Leader

Closing remarks and steps ahead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EC_K-Ych8&list=PLCk5houZI6tg&index=8

Thank you for being part of the Digital Alps Conference 2026. Your ideas, energy, and commitment are shaping the future of our Alpine regions. We look forward to welcoming you again next year for another inspiring journey of innovation, collaboration, and impact.