The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE - has the legal duty of organizing the National Conference of Statistics - CONFEST and the National Conference of Geography and Cartography - CONFEGE. These events aim at the evaluation of the processes of production, dissemination and use of information related to statistics and geography, in order to revise and improve the General Plan for Statistical and Geographical Information - PGIEG. In order to be successful, they depend on the participation of a big group of participants formed by several organizations which produce and use information on the scope of the Federal Executive Power, of the Legislative and Judiciary Power, together with state and municipal institutions dealing with geographical and statistical information and other segments of the organized civil society interested in the theme.

Aiming at activities which represent the fulfillment of this duty, IBGE held the I CONFEST, from May 29 to June 04, 1968, and the I CONFEGE, from September 23 - 30, 1968. The second edition of the two conferences occurred simultaneously, between November 28 and December 11, 1972. The General Plan for Statistical and Geographical Information - PGIEG which is now in effect was approved by the Decree no. 74.084, of May 20, 1974, and resulted from the Conferences held in 1972. The III CONFEST happened from November 7 to 9, 1989; CONFEGE did not take place that year.

The I National Meeting of Producers and Users of Social, Economic and Territorial Information, held as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of IBGE, was replaced by the IV CONFEST and by the III CONFEGE, from May 27 -31, 1996.

As one of the landmarks of the celebration of its 70 years, IBGE is now organizing and hosting the II National Meeting of Producers and Users of Social, Economic and Territorial Information, which encompasses the V CONFEST and the IV CONFEGE. The event is going to take place at IBGE, in Rio de Janeiro, from the August 21 to 25, 2006.