GovTech 4 Impact Madrid, May 5-7 2026: CITIES STEP IN
by Svetlana Tesic, CoFounder
Across the world, governments are entering a new phase of digital transformation, one measured not by strategies, but by outcomes. According to the World Bank, more than 130 countries have adopted national digital government strategies, yet implementation remains uneven and often fragmented across institutions.
At the same time, the scale of ambition is accelerating. Public sector investment in digital technologies, particularly AI, continues to grow, shifting expectations toward services that are not only digital, but integrated, responsive, and capable of delivering real public value at scale.
This growing gap between ambition and execution is where the real challenge now lies: in the ability to translate it into consistent, tangible impact.
It is precisely within this context that GovTech4Impact has established itself as a key global platform, bringing together governments, innovators, and institutions to focus on what it takes to move from policy to implementation.
Building on this foundation, the 2026 edition in Madrid introduces a significant evolution. For the first time, it places a dedicated emphasis on cities and mayoral leadership, recognizing that it is at the local level where transformation is not only designed, but delivered.
This focus is anchored in a dedicated Leadership Forum, bringing together city leaders to engage in peer-to-peer dialogue around key questions shaping the future of urban governance, from human-centered digital services and digital identity, to the role of connected digital twins in addressing complex societal challenges, and the leadership required to drive implementation across levels of government.
The Forum will also include the signing of a joint declaration, contributing to the Global GovTech4Impact Leadership Program, a shared commitment to advancing trusted, innovative, and collaborative public services at scale.
‘We are excited to build on the foundation of GovTech4Impact, now in its third edition, and open a broader dialogue with those who lead execution at the local government level. The question is no longer whether governments will digitize, but whether they can deliver real impact at scale, and cities are leading that answer. – Sharon Bershadsky, Kenes Group, organizer
BABLE Smart Cities is honored to be a partner in this edition, contributing to the dialogue with a strong focus on what it really takes for leaders to turn ideas into implementation across cities.
“The challenge is not innovation, it is orchestration. Cities already have a lot of the right solutions, but without the right data, leadership alignment, and funding pathways, they remain fragmented. The future belongs to cities that can connect these pieces and scale what works.” – Tamlyn Shimizu, Head of Global Markets & Partnerships, BABLE Smart Cities
Mayors of Europe will be actively participating in this edition, contributing to the dialogue by bringing forward perspectives from European city leaders and helping to connect local experiences with broader GovTech4Impact conversations.
“Across cities, the shift from piloting innovation to deploying it in practice is already underway. This is the critical point where ambition meets reality, and where leadership, capacity, and sustained commitment determine whether innovation translates into lasting public value.” – Svetlana Tesic, Co-founder, Mayors of Europe
