This year’s European Forum for Geography and Statistics (EFGS) conference took place from 10 to 12 December 2024, at Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia. The event was hosted by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia. After several years, the conference was held in person again and welcomed around 150 participants. CESCI was represented by Viktória Jánosi,  senior GIS expert.

The EFGS conference is an annual event dedicated to promoting the integration of geospatial and statistical data. Each year, it brings together experts focusing on topics related to the integration of geography and statistics. The motto of this year’s EFGS conference was “Empowering Data for Shaping Europe’s Future”. The event offered a combination of strategic content and practical sessions, so the participants gained insights into the latest achievements and best practices in the field.

The conference was opened with addresses by Mag. Apolonija Oblak Flander, Director-General of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Tomaž Petek, Director-General of the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, Jože Novak, Arturo de la Fuente Nuño, Acting-Director of the Directorate for Sectoral and Regional Statistics, and Ingrid Kaminger, President of the European Forum for Geography and Statistics.

Over three days, the conference featured expert discussions and more than 70 presentations across 12 sessions. Viktória Jánosi, CESCI’s senior GIS expert presented the complexity and difficulties of data collection and analysis for cross-border analyses and research, and the ways to overcome them.

In addition to the professional program, participants had opportunities for informal networking during several social events, which provided a possibility for professional discussions to develop.