Ljubljana - Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik emphasised the role of connectivity in a successful digital transformation, as he addressed the Regional Forum for Europe on Meaningful Connectivity, organised by International Telecommunication Union with the support of his ministry.

In his opening address to the two-day forum on Monday, the minister said Slovenia supported and encouraged open debate on connectivity, an important quality that he said had already changed in the past many aspects of professional and everyday life.

Digital transformation can only be successful if it enjoys trust from citizens and businesses, the minister was quoted as saying in a press release by his ministry.

"Connectivity has a key role in digital transformation and brings many economic and social benefits," Koritnik said, noting the new dimension brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, which sped up digitalisation and the need for connectivity.

"In the past year we learnt connectivity is not a matter of choice or preferences but what's needed to attend school, work and communicate with the rest of the world."

Noting benefits as well as the risks in the process, the minister argued for improving broadband coverage and security of 5G network and securing everyone equal opportunities, access to information and telecommunications technologies and connectivity, also by stepping up skills development and cooperation, and involving vulnerable groups.

The minister noted that digitalisation will be one of the priorities of Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU. "Connectivity is at the core of a successful digital transformation that must include and contribute to social and economic development," he said.