The purpose of the conference is both to allow the presentation of results from currently ongoing research and innovation projects in official statistics, and to stimulate and facilitate the preparation of new innovative projects (by encouraging the exchange of views and co-operation between researchers - including the possible building of research consortia) with the aim of enhancing the quality and usefulness of official statistics and to prepare activities related to research in statistics within the European Framework Programme for Research and Development (Horizon 2020).
The NTTS conference series was initially triennial, and with the conference taking place in 1992 (Bonn), 1995 (Bonn), 1998 (Sorrento) and 2001 (Hersonissos, Crete). After a break of 8 years, the conference was re-launched on a biannual basis, and has taken place in Brussels in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. Preparations are currently underway for NTTS 2019 in Brussels.