The Digitising European Industry Forum was held in Essen, Germany, from 31 January to 1 February 2017. More than 500 representatives of the public and private sectors from throughout Europe discussed key topics pertaining to the strategy of the unified European digital market. The forum was opened by State Secretary for Economic Affairs Matthias Machnig and European Commissioner Günther Oettinger.
During the forum, individual panel discussions were focused on the broadest variety of aspects of digitalisation and current challenges involving the application of the Industry 4.0 concept in practice, such as unification of the level of IT processes, cybersecurity, support for digital innovations and development of centres for digital innovation and competency. Forum representatives called for interconnection between individual national initiative in the area of Industry 4.0 and strengthening of international cooperation in the field of digitisation.
The event was held under the auspices of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Commission.