The digital ministers from the German states recently concluded their fifth conference in Hamburg, where they passed key resolutions focused on creating a more seamless and efficient digital administration across the board. According to the Brandenburg Ministry of Digital Affairs, the central topics covered included the implementation of the Federal Modernization Agenda, streamlining business creation, and developing powerful digital infrastructures. The meeting also addressed the practical application of comprehensive data protection measures.
Benjamin Grimm, Brandenburg’s Digital Minister, stated that digital government services must simplify the daily lives of citizens by reducing paperwork and expediting decision-making. The Federal Modernization Agenda aims to gradually establish “Digital Only” as the standard procedure, while simultaneously ensuring that individuals with limited digital skills are not left behind or excluded from services. To simplify starting a company, the “Founding in 24 Hours” initiative was presented, which allows for the bundled and digital handling of all necessary applications.
In addition to these internal process improvements, the states stressed the importance of achieving greater legal certainty and clarity in data protection practices, all while maintaining rigorous protection of personal data. Furthermore, a major focus is strengthening Germany’s status as a location for powerful and sovereign data centers. This push aims to boost digital value creation and promote modern cloud infrastructure. Finally, the ministers called for the acceleration of planning and approval procedures, coupled with the continued expansion of both fiber optic and mobile networks.