Western Balkans Digital Summit 2026 to Focus on AI

By Suad Seferi · 9 October 2026

The Western Balkans Digital Summit will bring government officials, technology experts and business representatives to Herceg Novi, Montenegro, from October 12 to 14, with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and regional digital integration among the central topics. The eighth edition will take place at One&Only Portonovi under Montenegro's 2026 presidency of the Berlin Process. More than 150 participants are expected, including representatives of the six Western Balkan economies, the European Commission, academic institutions, businesses and civil society organizations. The event is organized by Montenegro's Ministry of Public Administration in partnership with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which has supported the summit since its introduction in 2018. According to the Montenegrin government's announcement, this year's programme is intended to address practical challenges in developing a more connected, secure and competitive regional digital economy. AI, cybersecurity and digital skills on the agenda The summit's programme is organized around five main areas: digital economy, digital skills, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and connectivity, and trust and security. AI discussions will focus on the implementation of advanced technologies and their role in supporting regional connectivity. The wider programme will also examine how businesses, governments and educational institutions can develop the skills and infrastructure needed for digital transformation. Cybersecurity will be another central topic, with attention to strengthening the region's resilience against digital threats and improving cooperation between institutions. The Regional Cooperation Council has also identified digital public services and online child protection among the subjects expected to feature in the discussions. For the Western Balkans, these issues extend beyond technology adoption. Differences in institutional capacity, digital infrastructure and access to skilled professionals affect how quickly countries can introduce new digital services and benefit from AI applications. Montenegro wants closer integration with the EU digital market In an interview published by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 8, Montenegro's Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj, outlined the country's expectations for the summit. He said regional cooperation should produce practical results in areas such as cross-border data exchange, digital identity, public services and cybersecurity. One priority is closer alignment with the European Union's Digital Single Market, including work toward more affordable mobile roaming between the Western Balkans and EU countries. Dukaj also pointed to the need for stronger cooperation on cybersecurity, arguing that increasingly interconnected public systems require coordinated responses to digital threats. Montenegro has announced plans to expand its digital public services and develop an AI assistant for its e-government platform. The minister stressed that AI in public administration must remain subject to human oversight, particularly when systems are involved in legal or administrative decisions. These are national priorities presented by Montenegro ahead of the summit, rather than agreements already reached by participating governments. A regional discussion with practical implications The Western Balkans Digital Summit has served as a meeting point for regional governments and technology stakeholders since 2018. The previous edition took place in Skopje in October 2025. This year's gathering comes as the region continues working to align its digital policies and infrastructure with European frameworks. For businesses, improved digital connectivity and interoperable public services could reduce administrative barriers when operating across borders. For governments, common approaches to cybersecurity, digital identity and AI governance could support more reliable public services and regional cooperation. However, the extent to which these ambitions translate into practical results will depend on agreements, financing and implementation after the summit. What to watch during the summit The most relevant outcomes will be any concrete commitments involving AI governance, cybersecurity cooperation, digital public services and regional connectivity. Participants are also expected to discuss how to strengthen digital skills and prepare the workforce for changing technological requirements. With AI increasingly entering public administration and business operations, the challenge for Western Balkan economies is to move from policy discussions toward measurable improvements in services, institutional capacity and digital infrastructure. The October 12–14 summit provides another opportunity to establish shared priorities. Its longer-term significance will depend on what participating institutions agree to implement after leaving Herceg Novi.