Skopje, 17 June 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski participated in a high-level plenary session as part of the Digital Summit in Gdańsk, a strategic event organized within the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, in cooperation with the European Commission, Andonovski's Office said in a press release. 

The panel entitled "Skills Gap – Ensuring ICT Talent Development" discussed one of the most pressing topics in digital Europe – the shortage of ICT talent and the need for systematic building of digital skills. European Union top officials also addressed the panel, including Estonia's Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Director of the European Training Foundation, Pilvi Torsti, and CEO and Founder of Synerise, Jarosław Królewski.  

In his address, Minister Andonovski pointed out that "in digital economy, skills are not just an educational topic – they are infrastructure, productivity and GDP".

He presented some of Macedonia's concrete initiatives, including the INNOFEIT EDIH digital innovation hub project, as a basis for building skills in the public and private sectors, as well as the cooperation with the private sector and international organizations in building key national platforms, including the e-services portal, the national interoperability platform, the Central Population Registry, etc.

Andonovski stressed the need to include coding, critical thinking and online safety in primary education, something the Ministry is actively working on.

"Europe cannot afford to leave digital skills to chance. And we, as small countries, cannot build digital institutions without the people who drive them," said Andonovski. 

The Gdańsk Digital Summit brings together ministers, MEPs, technology industry leaders, scientists and representatives of innovative companies, becoming a key venue for discussions on Europe's digital future. 

Photo: Minister Stefan Andonovski's Office