Annual meetings

The Annual Meetings constitute a key moment of inclusive and participatory dialogue between ICOM’s membership, ICOM Bodies and its governing organs. They provide a structured forum for deliberation and collective decision-making concerning the organisation’s strategic direction, governance, and future development.

ICOM Annual Meetings comprise the organisation’s Statutory Meetings, namely:

• Separate Meetings of the National and International Committees;
• Session of the Advisory Council;
• General Assembly/ies meetings.

ICOM Annual Meetings may also include a complementary scientific and professional programme organised in conjunction with the Statutory Meetings. This programme may comprise a scientific conference or thematic sessions, keynote addresses and invited speakers, roundtables, workshops, networking events, as well as specific commemorations or celebrations of institutional significance.

The General Assembly and Advisory Council meetings are traditionally held in Paris in June each year, except during General Conference years, when they take place at the host location of the General Conference. The Separate Meetings of the National and International Committees are generally held online in May.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of ICOM under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”.

The 2026 Annual Meetings will be held in person, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (France), as follows:

• 100th Session of the Advisory Council to be held on 24 June 2026 (both in-person and online for the corresponding audience);
• 41st Ordinary General Assembly meeting to be held on 25 June 2026.

The Separate Meetings of the National and International Committees will be held online, in May 2026.

For more information about the role and responsibilities of ICOM organs, please refer to the infographic of ICOM’s Structure and Decision-Making Process, as well as the accompanying explanatory materials available here.

AGORA is ICOM’s online platform dedicated to Statutory Meetings and accessible to all Members through the ICOM Member Space. The platform allows Members to register for Statutory Meetings, consult the working documents associated with these meetings, and access recordings of past General Assembly recordings. You may access AGORA here.

In 2025, the 99th Session of the Advisory Council, as well as the 40th Ordinary General Assembly meeting, were held in Dubai (UAE), as part of the 27th ICOM General Conference.

In 2024, the 96th Session of the Advisory Council, as well as the 39th Ordinary General Assembly meeting were held in Marseille (France), at the MUCEM (Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée).