ICOM is pleased to announce the appointment of members to its Standing Committees and Working Groups for the 2026-2028 term, following two calls for applications launched in February and April 2026 and appointments made during the 181st and 183rd Sessions of the Executive Board.
The appointment process was carried out in accordance with the ICOM Nomination Process for Standing Committees and Working Groups.
For the 2026-2028 term, six Standing Committees and three Working Groups will support the Executive Board by providing expertise, advice and recommendations within their respective mandates:
Standing Committees
FIREC – Finance and Resources Committee
LEAC – Legal Affairs Committee
SAREC – Strategic Allocation Review Committee
SPC – Strategic Plan Committee
SCD – Standing Committee on Decolonisation
Working Groups
WGSR – Working Group on Statutes and Rules
ICWG – Working Group on the Future of International Committees
NCWG – Working Group on National Committees
The mandates of each Standing Committee are established in the ICOM Internal Rules, while the terms of mandate of each Working Group were approved by the Executive Board at its 181st Session (19-20-23 March 2026).
Institutional framework
Under Article 5 of the ICOM Internal Rules, Standing Committees and Working Groups provide expertise and recommendations on matters affecting the Organisation and the global museum community. Appointed by the ICOM President in consultation with the Executive Board, they operate and report under the authority of the Executive Board (Article 5.1 and 5.2 of the Internal Rules).
As expert and advisory bodies, Standing Committees and Working Groups contribute to the work of ICOM within their respective mandates, supporting the Executive Board in the exercise of its responsibilities and in addressing specific matters.
In June 2026, the Executive Board adopted a revised version of the Internal Rules during its 183rd Session, formalising, among two significant institutional developments. The Strategic Plan Committee (SPC) and the Standing Committee on Decolonisation (SCD) were elevated from temporary Working Groups to permanent Standing Committees. The establishment of the SCD also implements Resolution No. 6, adopted by the General Assembly, which called for the creation of a dedicated Standing Committee on Decolonisation.
Standing Committees and Working Groups play a key role in supporting ICOM’s governance and strategic priorities. Through their expertise and recommendations, they help ensure that the Organisation remains responsive to the evolving opportunities and challenges facing museums and museum professionals worldwide.