KUCHING — In a notable achievement for Sarawak and Malaysia, Kuching has been confirmed as the host city for the International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027, reinforcing the region’s growing prominence in global archival and digital heritage circles.
The Paris-based ICA unveiled the decision on May 28, selecting Kuching over rival bids from Bogota, Colombia, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dato’ Jaafar Sidek, Director-General of the National Archives of Malaysia, described the designation as an acknowledgment of the nation’s aptitude in executing world-class events.
Recounting Malaysia’s previous hosting in 2008, he noted that the event drew over 1,000 participants from 109 countries. Plans for the 2027 conference aim to surpass the thousand-delegate mark, well above the ICA’s minimum threshold of 700–800 attendees.
The forthcoming conference will revolve around its theme: “Preserving Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age”, focusing on best practices in electronic record keeping and digitisation to support long-term archival access worldwide.
In parallel, Sarawak is progressing with the construction of a new state archives facility, projected for completion by mid-2026. According to Japri Bujang Masli, CEO of the Sarawak State Library, the building will integrate advanced technology, including a robotic-based Archival Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) designed to bolster both preservation and accessibility, while facilitating knowledge sharing with the global archival community.
The ICA Conference 2027 is anticipated to convene archivists, records managers, researchers, and policymakers from around the world, forming a platform to exchange ideas, explore emerging challenges, and chart the future of archives in the increasingly digital era.
