On Wednesday (October 15th), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics participated in a press conference to announce the international program for the 8th National Conference of Data Producers and Users (CONFEST/CONFEGE), which will be held from December 3rd to 5th in Salvador, Bahia. The event was a hybrid session, with representatives from IBGE and from other organizations participating in person— at the headquarters of the Bahia State Planning Secretariat (SEPLAN)—and also remotely.

Participants of the press conference were the President of the IBGE, Marcio Pochmann; IBGE's General Coordinator of the Center for Information Dissemination and Documentation, Daniel Castro; IBGE's Superintendent in Bahia, André Urpia; and IBGE's employee and former State Administration Secreatary, Edelvino Góes. The event also received the SEPLAN's Superintendent for Strategic Planning, Ranieri Barreto, who represented the State Government of Bahia, the former senator and director of Corporate and Government Relations at SENAI/CIMATEC, Walter Pinheiro, and the FIEB's Superintendent for Industrial Development, Marcus Verhine.

President Marcio Pochmann emphasizes the importance of the conference to transform statistics institutes 

President Marcio Pochmann observed that this is the first time CONFEST/CONFEGE will take place outside of Rio de Janeiro and celebrated the partnerships with representatives from the participating agencies. He emphasized the importance of the conference at a moment when governments are increasingly data-driven. That fact, coupled with digital transformation, poses significant challenges for official statistics agencies, such as the need to integrate different databases and the possibility of implementing predictive public policies. This also includes the issue of data sovereignty.

"The conference is this opportunity for Brazil to consider its goals, which is essential in the second half of the decade. IBGE research have anticipated situations the country is already facing, such as the demographic issue, which impacts public policies. Therefore, we have the opportunity to promote this debate so that Brazil can take the lead and bring new indicators to our society" he stated.

Ranieri Barreto, SEPLAN's Superintendent for Strategic Planning, who represented the Bahia State Government, thanked the IBGE for holding the conference in the state and explained the importance of discussions with international stakeholders to develop parameters for long-term planning of public policies and thus reduce inequality, especially in the Northeast Region.

The IBGE Superintendent in Bahia, André Urpia, said that hosting CONFEST/CONFEGE in the state is an "honor for Bahia" and highlighted the importance of the partnerships that have been created with the State Government, the Union of Municipalities in Bahia (UPB), the Federation of Industries of the State of Bahia (FIEB), and SENAI/CIMATEC, where the conference will be held.

IBGE employee and former State Administration Secretary Edelvino Góes said that the conference is not only a technical meeting, but also "a call for strategic thinking for those who lead data production and use," and concluded by saying "it will certainly provide guidelines and support for the improvement of governance of geosciences and IBGE statistics."

The event also had the in-person participation of former Senator Walter Pinheiro, Director of Corporate and Government Relations at SENAI/CIMATEC, the agency that will host the conference. Pinheiro thanked President Marcio Pochmann for his confidence to hold CONFEST/CONFEGE in Bahia and added that the data produced by the Institute are a fundamental input for long-term planning in Brazilian states. 

Former State Planning Secretary Pinheiro mentioned that the conference is an important opportunity to showcase the planning and public policy work carried out in Bahia using data from the partnership between SEPLAN and IBGE.

After the talk by SEPLAN participants, it was the turn of Marcus Verhine, Superintendent for Industrial Development at FIEB, who participated remotely. He spoke about the importance of IBGE data for the industrial sector and celebrated the conference being held in Bahia, and added that the exchange of information with national and international organizations may further contribute to the development of industry in the state.

CONFEGE/CONFEST will feature panels and sessions with international guests

Next, Andréa Diniz da Silva, IBGE's International Relations Manager, explained the international schedule of CONFEST/CONFEGE and explained the conference is expected to bring together representatives from approximately 30 countries, who will be taking part in five panel sessions. "The idea is to discuss the production of statistical and geoscientific information with these partners around the world."

Andréa also explained that the conference will have two exclusively international sessions: one to discuss the challenges of statistical production in Amazônia, and the MERCOSUR Specialized Statistics Meeting. "What is important is that everyone at these panels is invited to participate in the entire event, which will provide an opportunity for significant exchange throughout the conference," she concluded.

Another participant was Betina Barbosa, coordinator of the Human Development Unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She emphasized the importance of data produced by the IBGE and analyzed by the UNDP for implementing public policies in Brazil and promoting human development, and celebrated the partnership with the IBGE and the State Government of Bahia. 

Betina also emphasized the importance of CONFEST/CONFEGE for the third series of international dialogues that the UNDP has been conducting to develop metrics to measure human development and create new development agendas for the 21st century.

Betina Barbosa emphasized the importance of data produced by the IBGE and analyzed by PNUD for the creation of public policies in Brazil - Photo: Heitor Montes

The schedule of CONFEST/CONFEGE is available at https://eventos.ibge.gov.br/conferencia-soberania-nacional/programacao

The press conference was streamed on Digital IBGE and can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVjbTawHcdw

About CONFEST/CONFEGE

With support from the Federation of Industries (FIEB) and the state government of Bahia, the National Conference of Data Producers and Users (CONFEST/CONFEGE) will focus on "A Proposal for a General Plan for Statistical and Geographic Information (PGIEG) for the Development of Brazil in the Digital Age, from 2026 to 2030." 

The National Conference of Data Producers and Users (CONFEST/CONFEGE) is the main national statistics and geosciences event and one of the most important in the world. Its objective is to expand the IBGE's dialogue with society, bringing together producers and users of data and statistics, and to evaluate the processes of production, dissemination, and use of statistical and geographic information, in order to review and improve the General Plan for Statistical and Geographic Information (PGIEG). 

The success of the conference depends on the participation of a broad group of actors formed by information producers and users within the Federal Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the Judiciary Branch, together with state and municipal statistical and geographic information institutes, and other segments of civil society interested in the topic.

Service: National Conference of Data producers and Users
Date: December 3-5, 2025
Venue: SENAI Cimatec e Escola SESI, na cidade de Salvador (BA)
Registration: https://eventos.ibge.gov.br/conferencia-soberania-nacional)