BARCELONA: The International Council on Archives (ICA) has officially announced that Kuching, Sarawak, is the host city for the ICA Conference 2027.

According to a statement, the organisation of the forthcoming conference will be undertaken by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak together with its esteemed collaborators, which include the National Archives of Malaysia, the Sarawak Government, and the Malaysian Government.

Spain’s Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun Domènech, acknowledged the presence of Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, while commending the state’s decision to take on the role of host for ICA in 2027.

Deputy Chairman of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak and MTCP Special Administrative Officer, Datu Dr. Rashidah Bolhassan expressed her heartfelt thanks to ICA during the announcement ceremony held in Barcelona, Spain, on 28 October 2025.

“We are truly honoured and deeply grateful for this opportunity to become host for the prestigious conference in 2027.

“To us, it is also a proud achievement and milestone for Sarawak, as we take our place on the international stage in the important fields of archives and records management.

“Our heartfelt appreciation to both the ICA Selection Committee and the Executive Board for their trust and confidence placed in us.

“We also extend our appreciation to our esteemed partners at the National Archives of Malaysia for their continuous support and collaboration throughout this journey,” she said on the announcement, which is a befitting recognition of Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to efforts in enhancing archives and records management.

According to her, Pustaka, together with the National Archives of Malaysia, is fully committed to working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to deliver a conference that is professionally enriching, culturally immersive, and globally inclusive.

“We look forward to seeing all the participants coming to Kuching for the ICA Conference 2027,” she said while inviting them to experience the unique ‘Sarawak Hospitality’, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. -UKASnews