- A wide range of topics will be explored, including documentation in situations of conflict or humanitarian crisis, access to information and data protection, the use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in the sector, as well as the relationship between archives and processes of memory building.
- Mercè Crosas, Trudy Peterson and Alan Cobley are the three keynote speakers who will deliver the main lectures on each day of the congress.
From 27 to 30 October 2025, the city of Barcelona will host the International Archives Congress – ICA Barcelona 2025. Held every four years by the International Council on Archives (ICA) and taking place this time at the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), it will be the most significant global event in 2025 in the field of archives and records management.
The organisation of the congress in Barcelona has been made possible thanks to the institutional collaboration between the ICA, the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the Association of Archival and Records Management Professionals of Catalonia. The central theme, “Knowing Pasts, Creating Futures”, invites reflection on the role of archives as agents of social and technological transformation.
More than 2,000 professionals from 110 countries will take part. Recognised for its commitment to innovation, culture and records management, Barcelona will provide an exceptional setting for this global community. The event also represents a unique opportunity to highlight the vitality of the archival sector in Catalonia and to acknowledge the dedication of its professional community.
The ICA Barcelona 2025 aims to foster the exchange of knowledge and experience among professionals, promote international cooperation and highlight the role of archives in building more just, informed and sustainable societies.
Moreover, the event seeks to transcend the traditional boundaries of the discipline by welcoming professionals from digital and technological fields who increasingly contribute to the daily work of archives, administrations and society at large. The congress will gather both archival professionals and those who, through technology, digital innovation or related disciplines, are helping to transform and enrich contemporary archival and records management practice.
Themes and Featured Speakers
The call for papers, published in October 2024, received 1,361 proposals from 106 countries, tripling the figures of previous editions. Over 500 proposals from 103 countries have been selected, resulting in a rich programme of plenary sessions, thematic papers, workshops, labs, lightning talks and an exhibition area featuring institutions and companies from the sector.
The congress will address five main themes exploring the role of archives in contemporary society: “Managing Memories / Preserving Identities”, “Conflict, Disaster and Displacement”, “Records of Rights”, “Digital and Accessible”, and “Archival Futures”. Within this framework, presentations will offer diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by the archival field today — from collective memory and identity management, documentation in contexts of conflict or humanitarian crisis, and the defence of information rights and data protection, to the impact of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and archival education in shaping the profession’s future.
The congress will feature three distinguished keynote speakers: Mercè Crosas, a pioneer in supercomputing and data science; Dr Trudy Peterson, a renowned American archivist and advocate for human rights archives and government records; and Alan Cobley, historian and Professor Emeritus at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Barbados, noted for his work integrating archival management into Caribbean academia.
About the International Council on Archives (ICA)
The ICA is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1948 under the auspices of UNESCO. It brings together over 2,000 institutional and professional members from more than 140 countries, committed to preserving and ensuring access to the world’s documentary heritage. Its congresses are the leading international forum for discussing the challenges and opportunities of contemporary archival practice.
For more information and updates:
https://icabarcelona2025.cat/
Press accreditation requests:
https://icabarcelona2025.cat/press-accreditation-request/Press contact:
Rosa Soto
rsoto@int-meetings.com
