Minister for Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, one of the main speakers at the Budapest Global Dialogue 2026, stressed that strategic cooperation between states and partners is essential for building resilient institutions, stable democracies and secure digital infrastructure in the face of increasing global challenges.
The event began with an introductory address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Hungary, Петер Сијарто, followed by high-level panel discussions dedicated to global security, geopolitical changes and digital transformation.
In his address, Minister Andonovski emphasized that the world is in a period of profound and complex changes.
“Today we are facing an international order that is under pressure on multiple fronts, military, financial and demographic. Multipolarity is no longer a topic for discussion, but a reality that we must manage responsibly,” Andonovski stated.
He warned that cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are not a virtual threat, but a real risk with direct consequences for states and the daily lives of citizens.
“When hospitals, energy networks, water supply systems or financial infrastructure are the target of cyberattacks, the consequences are deeply real – disrupted lives, weakened institutions and an increased risk of escalation,” the minister said.
Andonovski also pointed out the dangers of disinformation and technological dependencies:
“When disinformation erodes public trust, democracies struggle to function, and societies lose cohesion. When supply chains with critical technologies become a means of pressure, then sovereignty becomes conditional.”
From the perspective of the Republic of Macedonia, as a NATO member and a country with a clear Euro-Atlantic orientation, the Minister highlighted that the resilience of states is the foundation of every successful partnership.
“We are a small country, but we find ourselves at the crossroads of regions, markets and strategic interests. We know that alliances are crucial, but we also know that the strength of every alliance depends on the resilience of each of its members,” emphasized Andonovski.
He stressed that cybersecurity must be treated as national security, not as a technical formality.
“Cybersecurity must not be added at the end of projects. It must be embedded in the way governments function, how infrastructure is procured, how public services are delivered and how crises are managed.”
In the second part of his speech, Minister Andonovski addressed the importance of digital transformation for strengthening public trust.
“Digital transformation should make the state more transparent, accessible and accountable. When citizens receive efficient services and businesses operate in a predictable and secure environment, the social contract between the state and citizens is strengthened.”
The Minister emphasized that strategic cooperation must be concrete and operational:
“This means a joint fight against cybercrime, fraud and ransomware, sharing best practices, building relationships for rapid incident response and strengthening norms that reduce the risk of misjudgements and escalation.”
As part of his visit to Budapest, Minister Andonovski will hold several bilateral meetings with senior government officials, as well as a visit to the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Hungary, where discussions will focus on opportunities to enhance cooperation in the fields of digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the integration of energy and digital systems.
