The President of NSI Participated in High-Level Conference on Statistical and Geospatial Data

The President of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov, PhD participated in the European Forum for Geography and Statistics (EFGS) 2026 conference, under the motto “Geo-enabling the future”, held in Brussels, Belgium

The forum brought together experts, professionals, and representatives of institutions involved in the development of statistical and geospatial data, as well as high-level representatives working in the fields of geospatial policy and strategic governance.

A key focus of the conference was the integration of statistical and geospatial data as a foundation for a better understanding of complex societal, economic, and environmental processes and for supporting informed decision-making. The use of location-based information adds important context to statistical data and enables it to be transformed into actionable knowledge for the development and implementation of more effective policies.

The main topics discussed included modernisation, good governance, interoperability, data quality and reliability, as well as the development of sustainable, integrated data ecosystems. Particular attention was paid to strategic leadership and the role of institutional leaders in developing a shared vision for an integrated statistical and geospatial infrastructure. The need for appropriate regulatory frameworks and standards was also discussed, along with effective cooperation and the promotion of data sharing among institutions.