IBGE debates data sovereignty and scientific production in lecture in the State University of Ceará
May 11, 2026 02h29 PM | Last Updated: May 11, 2026 03h58 PM
The president of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Marcio Pochmann, gave this Monday, May 11, the lecture “Scientific Production and Data Sovereignty,” in the auditorium of the Center for Applied Social Studies (Cesa) of the State University of Ceará (Uece), on the
Aimed at scholars, researchers, technology professionals and other interested parties, the meeting proposes a reflection on the strategic role of information in a global context in which data assumes central value — often compared to the “new petroleum.” In this scenario, Pochmann addressed the challenges faced by Brazil to preserve autonomy over its digital assets and expand the national capacity for scientific production.
The lecture highlighted, among its main axes, the relationship between data sovereignty and the advancement of Brazilian science, the debate on the control of information produced in Brazil and an analysis of the role of universities in formulating an autonomous development project. The discussion also explored the geopolitical implications of the concentration of data in the hands of large transnational corporations and its impacts on the Brazilian scientific and technological development.
For the president of the IBGE, the topic is central to the future of Brazil. “Scientific production and data sovereignty are not just topics of debate, but fundamental pillars in the construction of an innovative and sovereign future. Therefore, valuing knowledge means investing in a country that is more prepared, competitive and capable of transforming national intelligence into an attribute that converges with inclusion and social justice,” says Pochmann.
The general director of Ipece, Alfredo Pessoa, also highlighted the institutional and international relevance of the debate. “The role that IBGE plays in Brazilian society is recognized by the countries of the Southern Cone, Brics and the Portuguese-speaking community. The triple Southern Cone forum, held in Ceará, demonstrates that the heads of statistics in these countries are aligned and can contribute to the development of public policies that benefit their populations,” highlights him.
