Welcome to 2026
First of all, I wish you a healthy, inspiring, and successful 2026. The new year is always a moment of reflection and looking ahead.
We live in a time where change seems to be the only constant. This brings challenges, but also enormous opportunities. As CIOs and digital leaders, we are at the heart of this dynamic. Together, we can shape the digital future of our organizations and of the Netherlands.
A world in motion: challenges that affect us
The geopolitical situation is more complex than ever. We see a declining focus on international law and a shift of power toward economic and technological blocs. This has a direct impact on our digital dependencies. Suppliers, infrastructure, and data are often tied to regions where stability is not guaranteed. This makes strengthening our digital resilience not a luxury, but a necessity.
Cyber threats are increasing, supply chains are vulnerable, and the pressure to remain compliant is growing. At the same time, we must guard against excessive dependence on a few dominant players. It is our shared responsibility to make strategic choices that safeguard the continuity and autonomy of our organizations. This requires vision, collaboration, and sometimes courage.
From hype to value: opportunities in technology
2025 was the year of the AI hype. Generative AI, quantum computing, edge-to-cloud—the buzzwords are everywhere. But the real challenge is not following trends, but creating value. How do we translate technology into tangible business impact? How do we ensure that innovation does not stall at pilots but leads to scalable solutions?
This calls for a balanced approach: experiment where possible, but remain critical. Not every hype deserves a place in our strategy. At the same time, we must bring our employees along in this transformation. Technology is only one side of the coin; culture, skills, and leadership are just as important. The success of digital transformation is determined by people.
Our agenda for 2026
This year, as an association, we want to focus even more on two familiar pillars:
- Knowledge sharing: Connecting in trust
We will continue to organize meetings where we exchange experiences on current topics: from AI and cybersecurity to supplier relationships and talent development. This year, for the first time, also an inspiration trip to the Brainport region.The network is our strength.
We will keep investing in meetings—both physical and digital—where CIOs and their colleagues get to know each other and build trust. Because collaboration starts with relationships. - Collective influence
We will intensify our dialogue with suppliers and policymakers. Not from a reactive stance, but proactively: together we set the agenda. Think of topics such as digital autonomy, cloud contracts, and improving market dynamics. In this, we will continue to work closely with our advisor Brabers and with our sister associations in Belgium, France, and Germany.
Finally: a call to action
2026 will not be an easy year. But it also offers opportunities for digital leaders to make a difference. Let us seize those opportunities. Use the network, share your knowledge, seek collaboration. Together we are stronger, smarter, and more agile.
On behalf of the board, I thank you for your commitment and involvement over the past year. I look forward to continuing to build a digitally resilient and innovative Netherlands together with you.
Here’s to a great 2026!
Kind regards,
Martijn Koning
Chairman CIO Platform Nederland
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