2026 IAOS Conference to Be Held in Vilnius: Focus on the Role of Statistics in Modern Society
The International Association for Official Statistics (IAOS) is a global organization bringing together statisticians, researchers, and policymakers who strive to ensure that official statistics are of high quality, reliable, and meaningful to society. On 12–14 May 2026, Vilnius will host the 20th IAOS Conference, which will be organized in Lithuania for the first time. The conference is being organized by the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) in cooperation with IAOS.
The conference theme, “Navigating the Data Revolution: Innovations and Impact in Modern Statistics”, highlights today’s data revolution, in which information is generated at an unprecedented scale and speed. This transformation opens up new opportunities while also posing substantial challenges for statistics, data science, and public policy. Modern statistical methods make it possible to use data to generate meaningful insights, support evidence-based decision-making, and foster innovation.
The conference programme will feature high-level keynote presentations, discussions, and hands-on sessions addressing the most pressing challenges of our time: from the impact of artificial intelligence on statistics to society’s ability to critically assess data.
Keynote Speakers – Internationally Recognized Experts
The conference will feature presentations by leading figures in statistics and data at the international level.
The opening keynote address, “Statistics as an Act of Love”, will be delivered by Ed Humpherson, Head of the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) UK. He will emphasize the importance of statistics in strengthening trust, transparency, and improving public understanding.
Professor Audronė Jakaitienė of Vilnius University will explore the importance of critical thinking and statistical literacy in the context of the increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence, highlighting that the ability to understand and responsibly use data is essential in modern society.
Steve MacFeely, Chief Statistician of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will discuss global changes in the data ecosystem and their impact on the economy and governance, while Mariana Kotzeva, Director-General of Eurostat, will address the transformation of official statistics amid rapid technological development, particularly artificial intelligence.
Focus on Innovation and Practical Application
Ahead of the conference, on May 11, short courses will be held, offering participants the opportunity to deepen their knowledge through hands-on sessions. Although the courses “AI, GIS, and Data Science for Statistics” have attracted extremely strong interest and all places are already filled, registration is still open for “Integrating Non-Probability Samples: A Modern Approach to Official Statistics”, which will introduce innovative methods applied in official statistics.
International Community and Collaboration
The conference is expected to bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from different countries, fostering knowledge exchange and international cooperation. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend social events, creating favourable conditions for strengthening professional networks in an informal setting.
The 2026 IAOS Conference in Vilnius is a major international event that not only highlights the development of official statistics but also contributes to building a trustworthy, innovative, and society-oriented data ecosystem.
More information about the conference can be found here.