Watch: How does Hon. Roberta Metsola see Europe’s digital future taking shape in Rome?
When Hon. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, took the stage at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, her presence carried both political significance but also symbolised Europe’s confidence in innovation, collaboration and its ability to lead responsibly in the global tech and gaming landscape. Set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most historic cities, the summit became a meeting point for progress, ambition and shared European identity.
Speaking with SiGMA in Rome Hon. Metsola emphasised the importance of bringing Europe’s innovators together in spaces that encourage cross-border collaboration and bold thinking. She pointed to the scale and diversity of the audience as evidence that Europe’s digital ecosystem is growing and maturing.
Rome as an innovation hub
Asked what it means for Italy and Europe to host SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, Hon. Roberta Metsola spoke with pride. “I see here thousands of innovators, researchers, those who want Europe to become more,” she said, highlighting the scale and diversity of the talent gathered. Hosting the event in Rome, she added, was “a great privilege,” underscoring the city’s role as a bridge between Europe’s past and its digital future.
Rome’s selection as host city amplified that innovation does not only belong to emerging tech capitals, it thrives where history, culture and modern ambition intersect. The summit demonstrated that Europe’s digital ecosystem is not confined to borders but strengthened by shared platforms that bring industries together.
The power of Malta
As a Maltese leader at the helm of the European Parliament, Metsola reflected personally on her journey and the visibility of Malta at the summit. “It can always be more than Malta here,” she remarked, reinforcing a powerful idea, size does not determine impact. “We do not say that we are smaller than others, but that we can do more, that we can be as high as anyone we want to be.”
That mindset, she explained, was something instilled in her from childhood. Seeing Maltese professionals standing alongside peers from across Europe embodied what the European project represents, inclusion, opportunity and ambition without limits.
Europe’s tech landscape
Turning to Europe’s tech and gaming industries, Metsola urged attendees to look beyond metrics. “When we look at Europe’s tech and gaming industry, we see something bigger than numbers or growth charts,” she said. For her, the sector is proof that Europe’s model works as one that balances innovation with responsibility.
“We can be pro-business, forward-looking and open to innovation… while still doing things responsibly,” she explained, stressing the importance of protecting users and the most vulnerable online. Her message emphasised how ethics and growth are not opposites but partners.
A call to the future
Closing her address, Metsola delivered a rallying message to founders, developers and creatives shaping Europe’s digital tomorrow. “Keep going. You are showing that Europe’s strength lies not in looking back, but in shaping what comes next. And I can assure you that we have your back,” she urged.
With that, she set the tone for a summit defined by confidence, collaboration and forward momentum. Want to be part of Europe’s next chapter? Join us at our next SiGMA World event in Rome from 02-05 November 2026, where policymakers, innovators and industry leaders come together to shape the future.
