On May 13-17, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) carried out a Brazilian mission to China, aiming at kicking off the Memorandum of Understanding signed with China´s National Statistical Office in 2024, as well as at signing two new agreements: with the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) and with the Hebei Normal University.

The Brazilian delegation was integrated by the President of the IBGE, Marcio Pochmann; the IBGE´s Head of International Relations (GRI), Andrea Diniz da Silva; the Director of Surveys (DPE), Gustavo Junger da Silva; the Deputy Director of Geosciences (DGC), Gustavo de Carvalho Cayres da Silva; the Coordinator-General of the Center for Information Documentation and Dissemination (CDDI), Jose Daniel de Castro, and the Deputy Coordinator of the National School of Statistical Sciences (ENCE), Cesar Augusto Marques da Silva.

"The IBGE´s mission was positive and productive both in relation to the presence in the delegation of the Brazilian Presidency in the CELAC-China forum and in talking with universities and research and statistical institutions. A reinforcement in the IBGE´s external prominence," stated Pochmann.

Gustavo Junger, the director of Surveys, pointed out that the dialog with China´s National Statistical Office (NBS) allowed to recognize the challenges faced by the NBS when portraying the changes in society, as well as its strategies to modernize the statistical production. According to him, the DPE identified a closer approach, like the preparation for the Census of Agriculture, which should be accomplished in 2026 in both countries. While other approaches have a potential dialog in the future, like the survey on the digital economy and the inter-census survey in China, to be accomplished this year.

"Undoubtedly, the next steps of the agreement with the NBS will involve an increasing integration between the technical teams and the establishment of an agenda to follow up their advances, as well as sharing experiences, fostering a fertile ground for the dialog between the institutions," explained the director of Surveys.

Although the NBS does not have any responsibility on geosciences, the agenda allowed to highlight the relevance of integrating geosciences and statistics, according to Gustavo Cayres, Deputy Director of Geosciences A discussion agenda of mutual interest between the IBGE and the NBS was signaled, involving both the techniques applied to the NBS surveys and the geospatial information that the IBGE uses and stores in its activities.

"The Directorate of Geosciences took to the mission the interests of its technical areas, aiming at establishing a dialog towards their interests. The possibility of promoting this contact with the technical areas of partner institutions is a potential advance in the cooperation," emphasized Gustavo Cayres.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed with the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), aims at establishing the Joint Research Center, at improving the skills of both parties in academic research and cooperation in international communication, at consolidating and sharing resources, and at contributing to the cooperation between Chinese and Brazilian think tanks.

With the agreement, it is expected to carry out joint activities for the production of studies and accomplishment of events. It kicked off the organization of the Seminar on Governance and Civilization Forum, which will be held from June 30 to July 1st, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

According to the head of the IBGE´s International Relations, Andrea Diniz, the event should have an audience of nearly 150 people, 60 of them as panelists and speakers. "It is an excellent way to begin a partnership. The event will gather representatives from government, society and private sector of both countries, Brazil and China, to discuss cooperation under the scope of BRICS and global governance," pointed her out.

Visit to the Hebei Normal University

IBGE representatives met teams of the Hebei Normal University to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the institutions. The structure of the university was presented, with visits to the Laboratory of Digital Education, Library and University Museum. Meetings and activities were also accomplished with students and teachers at the colleges of Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Geography, as well as the presentation of ENCE´s structure and courses.

"The mission was important to kick off the cooperation with institutions outside Europe and Americas. The partnership with this university, with a centenary background and contributions to the advance of education in China, has the potential to develop joint capacity, teaching and research activities, with exchanges between teachers and students from both countries," explained Cesar Augusto, ENCE´s Deputy Coordinator General.

Among the major points of the agreement are: development of cooperation in academic areas of mutual interest, implementation of exchange programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students, interchange of teachers for visits, training, research and studies, exchange of education materials and joint organization of academic conferences.