KUCHING: Kuching has been selected as the host city for the International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027, a major recognition for Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, in the field of archival management and digital heritage.
The selection was announced by ICA, headquartered in Paris, on May 28, with Kuching winning the bid over Bogota, Colombia, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
National Archives of Malaysia Director-General Datuk Jaafar Sidek said the recognition is both an honour and proof of Malaysia’s capability to host world-class conferences.
“We last hosted in 2008 with more than 1,000 participants from 109 countries. This time, our target is also over 1,000 participants, even though ICA’s minimum requirement is between 700 and 800,” he said following a courtesy call on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here today (Aug 18).
The theme for the 2027 conference is “Preserving Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age”, with a focus on electronic records management and digitisation as the best approach for preserving and disseminating global information.
Meanwhile, Sarawak State Library chief executive officer Japri Bujang Masli said Sarawak is currently constructing a new state archives building, scheduled for completion by mid-2026.
The facility will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a robotic-based Archival Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) for the storage and access of archival materials.
“With these modern facilities, we will not only be able to preserve government documents and national heritage but also share our expertise with the international archival community,” he said.
The conference is expected to attract archivists, information specialists, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to discuss innovations, challenges, and the future of archives in the digital era.