By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 18: Kuching has been chosen as the host city for the prestigious International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027, an honour that not only elevates Malaysia’s standing but also places Sarawak on the global map in archival management and digital heritage.
According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, the Paris-based ICA announced on May 28 that Kuching had triumphed over competing bids from Bogota, Colombia, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
National Archives of Malaysia Director-General Dato Jaafar Sidek hailed the selection as a recognition of Malaysia’s capability to stage a world-class conference.
“We last hosted the ICA Conference in 2008, which attracted more than 1,000 participants from 109 countries.
“This time, we are targeting over 1,000 participants, although ICA’s requirement is between 700 and 800,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi in Petra Jaya here today.
Themed ‘Preserving Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age’, the 2027 conference will spotlight electronic record management and digitalisation as vital tools for global information preservation and dissemination.
In preparation, Sarawak is constructing a new State archive building, slated for completion by mid-2026.
Sarawak State Library (Pustaka Negeri) chief executive officer (CEO) Japri Bujang Masli said the facility will feature state-of-the-art technology, including a robotic-based Archival Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) to enhance storage and access of archival materials.
“With such modern facilities, we will not only preserve government documents and national heritage but also share our expertise with the international archival community,” Japri said.
The upcoming conference is expected to draw archivists, information specialists, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to deliberate on innovations, challenges, and the future of archival work in the digital era.
Also present during the courtesy call were Business Events Sarawak CEO Amelia Roziman, Deputy Director-General of National Archives Malaysia Zaidin Mohd Noor, and senior officials. — DayakDaily
