From 27 to 30 October 2025, the International Council on Archives (ICA) will hold its Congress in Barcelona, a major professional event that brings together archival and records management professionals, institutions, and partners from around the world.
The Congress is the result of a close collaboration between the ICA and its local partners — the Government of Catalonia, the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Ministry of Culture of Spain, and the Association of Archivists and Records Managers of Catalonia. Through this partnership and the work of the Directorate Committee, the Professional Programme Committee, the Operational Committee, and the Communications and Marketing Committee, this joint effort has led to a rich and diverse programme that participants will experience during the last week of October.
In recent days, the ICA has received a formal recommendation from its local partners expressing concern over the current political and social context in Spain and Catalonia regarding the Israel–Palestine conflict. The letter advised that, given the significant threat of renewed and potentially intensified demonstrations following those that took place in Barcelona one week ago, the security of Israeli speakers and the overall safety of the Congress could not be guaranteed.
Taking this recommendation into account, and with great regret, the Directorate Committee has informed the affected speakers that their presentations must be withdrawn from the Congress programme.
The ICA deeply values the participation of the entire international archival community and strives to include professionals from all countries in its events. Our Congresses are intended as spaces for professional dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration, where archival knowledge and practice can flourish in a spirit of openness and respect.
The ICA remains committed to fostering these values while ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all participants at the ICA Congress 2025 in Barcelona.
