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=_cfvE1CfS6M

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=2olxoRDZobI

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://youtu.be/_q-gIRyZ5vI?si=KkShRiuhbUBAM5kY

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://youtu.be/eUU71x8AiVE?si=bSeggC9Ox1qFwpqW

Moderated by:
Alison Hunter

Session 1: Digital Transformation of mountain territories
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://youtu.be/_g0vHy7YMfc?si=zvQNyLDoO_6Hxzeh

Session 1 – Digital Transformation of mountain territories

Session 2: Future-proof Digital Infrastructures
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://youtu.be/6Z7dhOfPcA0?si=S24LDfYTjayImhXB

Session 2 – Future-proof Digital Infrastructures

Session 3: Public Value in data and AI
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://youtu.be/5B2RgVYfi8I?si=Tv5YyRixe_SHiWJO

Session 3 – Public Value in Data and AI

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://youtu.be/m1EC_K-Ych8?si=px7sheu-a8sq_LL5

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.