Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal 2026 (English)
How can governments stay sovereign, resilient and innovative in an increasingly connected world?
Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal (Flanders Digital Conference) brings together Europe’s digital government community to explore this question through practical experiences in AI, cybersecurity, trusted data sharing and digital transformation.
On 22 October 2026, policymakers, public sector leaders, researchers, technology partners and GovTech innovators meet in Flanders to exchange ideas, discover solutions and build partnerships for the future of digital government.
Why attend #Trefdag26?
Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal is evolving from a regional conference into a European GovTech networking event, showcasing Flemish expertise while connecting governments and organisations from across Europe.
Join us to:
- Meet leading digital government practitioners from Flanders and Europe.
- Discover operational solutions in AI, cybersecurity and trusted data sharing.
- Exchange experiences with governments tackling similar digital challenges.
- Connect with partners for future European projects and collaborations.
- Participate in exclusive networking moments
Conference theme: sovereign in a connected world
Digital sovereignty has become a strategic priority for governments.
AI, digital platforms and geopolitical shifts are changing how public value is created. Governments must innovate while ensuring resilience, trust and strategic autonomy.
Being sovereign does not mean acting alone. It means making conscious choices about technology, collaboration and infrastructure.
At #Trefdag2026, we explore how governments can build digital capabilities together: creating scale, reducing dependencies and strengthening the foundations of a future-ready digital government.
Four conference tracks
- Stap 1
AI as Collective Intelligence
Humans and machines working togetherAI is moving from experimentation into everyday government practice. The question is no longer whether governments use AI, but how they can use it responsibly and effectively.
Discover how organisations are moving beyond isolated tools and building the capabilities needed for AI-powered public services and collective intelligence.
- Stap 2
Choosing Connectedness
Building ecosystems that work togetherA digital government cannot be built in isolation.
This track explores how shared platforms, open standards and interoperable ecosystems can help organisations collaborate while maintaining flexibility and autonomy.
A key focus is the Government OS collaboration platform and how partners can connect at the right pace.
- Stap 3
Resilience by Design
Secure, autonomous and future-proof governmentDigital services depend on complex ecosystems of public organisations, private partners and technology providers.
This track explores how governments can strengthen cyber resilience, protect critical infrastructure and reduce strategic dependencies by making resilience a core design principle.
- Stap 4
Beyond the Screen
Technology embedded in the real worldDigital transformation is no longer limited to screens and applications.
Sensors, connected infrastructure and intelligent systems are increasingly shaping the physical world around us. This track explores how technology can help governments better understand and respond to societal challenges.
International Programme at Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal
Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal is the ideal place to meet a European network of public sector innovators, technology partners and organisations working on digital government transformation. Discover practical solutions and real-world experiences in areas such as:
- AI in public services
- Cyber resilience and digital autonomy
- Trusted data sharing and data-driven government
- Digital ecosystems and cross-government collaboration
Throughout the day, international visitors can also attend a curated selection of breakout sessions in English or with live English translation, offering perspectives from Flanders and across Europe.
Meet experts, exchange experiences and discover how governments are turning digital ambitions into real-world impact.
Selected sessions for international visitors
11:00–11:25 - Who is in control of our digital government?
Speaker: Art de Blaauw – Dutch GovernmentLanguage: Dutch, with live English translationWho controls your government’s digital infrastructure? Art de Blaauw, CIO for the Dutch central government, believes that governments can no longer ignore their dependence on international technology providers. In this session, he explains how the Netherlands is working towards a digitally sovereign government.
11:40–12:05 - Ukraine – A country at war
Speaker: Yegor Aushev – Cyber Unit TechnologiesLanguage: EnglishWhat impact does war have on a government’s cybersecurity? Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this is no longer a theoretical question for Ukrainian cybersecurity expert Yegor Aushev. He shares what he wishes he had known about cybersecurity in peacetime to be better prepared for war.
13:30–13:55 - A £23 billion AI strategy that keeps people at its heart
Speaker: Chris Boyland – Scottish GovernmentLanguage: EnglishIn March 2026, Scotland launched a new AI strategy for 2026–2031. The plan aims to generate an additional £23 billion annually for Scotland by 2035. Chris Boyland is the architect behind the strategy. He explains how Scotland is bringing together two ambitions that can sometimes seem at odds: building an internationally competitive AI sector while ensuring that government keeps people at the heart of its approach.
14:15–14:40 - Discover Skeyes’ new digital air traffic control tower
Speaker: Christophe Wiel – SkeyesLanguage: Dutch, with live English translationBelgian air navigation service provider Skeyes is responsible for managing air traffic in Belgium. In this session, you will get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the digital control centre in Namur, which supports Liège and Charleroi airports in managing air traffic safely and efficiently. The state-of-the-art system combines camera feeds, ground radar, flight data, safety tools and augmented reality into a single integrated view for air traffic controllers.
Join Europe's digital government community: register now
#Trefdag26 is more than a conference.
It is a meeting place for everyone shaping the future of digital government —from policymakers and public administrations to researchers, technology partners and European institutions.
Join us on 22 October 2026 in Flanders Expo Ghent and discover how governments can build a future that is sovereign, connected and resilient.
Register by emailing marcom.digitaal@vlaanderen.be(opent in uw e-mail applicatie) with the following information:
- First name
- Last name
- Organisation
- Job title
- Country