Dear members of the World Technology Congress and guests,

As we step into this new year, I want to wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2025. I hope you enjoyed a joyful Christmas surrounded by your loved ones.

Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that we’ve made significant strides, and I’m genuinely grateful for your unwavering support over the last 12 months. My fellow Directors and I are truly humbled by your commitment to our organisation’s mission. Looking back, 2024 began with an unforgettable session, highlighting key messages and actions that will surely resonate with us for a long time. This event will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most impactful gatherings focused on AI and fintech, made possible by the steadfast support from all our members and participants. While advancing techno-economic progress has certainly been a challenge, the WTC board is ready to roll up its sleeves and dive into the work ahead. To achieve our goals, we will need your continued support, which is crucial for our success.

 I’m also excited to share the remarkable progress made during our recent delegation trip to Italy, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. Given the optimism we sensed on both sides, I firmly believe we are on the path to forging a strong, sustainable partnership with the Italian government. Here’s a brief summary of our recent trip to Genoa:

 World Technology Congress and City of Genoa Forge Strategic Event Collaboration​:

 Genoa, December 20, 2024 – Board members of the World Technology Congress (WTC) convened at the Town Hall Palace with representatives from the Governor’s Office to discuss the City of Genoa’s proposal to host our upcoming event, with support from the Italian government. The discussions focused heavily on our ambitious plans for the 2025 Fall session, outlining a strategic vision for an event set for next October.

Overview: Every year, our event aims to draw between 1,000 and 1,500 attendees, with a target audience comprising 25% from big tech, 30% from SMEs, 25% from finance leaders, and 20% from international policy leaders, all supported by the Mayor, Governor, and Deputy Prime Minister. The goal is to bridge technology and business opportunities and to promote Liguria and Italy as an emerging alternative. 

Resources: The WTC board has delineated all essential commitments and resources necessary for effectively implementing this framework. The government delegation promptly recognized our requirements and expressed a willingness to advocate for them to higher authorities. 

Strategic Focus: This event will act as a neutral ground for fostering international collaboration, paving the way for connections between the tech and business sectors. Key areas of focus include venue planning, security arrangements, local support, and promotional efforts. 

Political Context: With elections coming up in March, final commitments will depend on the political landscape. Both parties agreed on the importance of maintaining a neutral political stance.

Agreed Points of action:

- Strategic focus on the tech ecosystem in Genoa 

- Framework for the “Genoa Accords”, a document that underpins the region's development and growth roadmap of the tech-ecosystem. 

- A planning timeline of 10 to 12 months post-approval

- Coordination with local government and security support

- Logistics for press and VIPs

- Logistics, accommodation and protocol management by the City for international politicians. 

We also discussed the next steps: awaiting political clarity after the elections, continuing preliminary planning, and keeping communication channels open. The meeting underscored the need for meticulous planning and coordination.

Many individuals deserve recognition for their hard work behind the scenes, not just those who are in the spotlight. We have numerous success stories stemming from our growth in sponsorships, city partnerships, and the trust we’ve cultivated within the tech community. 

I look forward to meeting you again soon, and I hope you all enjoy the wonderful start of this new year. 

Dominika Haberova 

Chairman, World Technology Congress