Jakarta has been selected to host the International Council of Museums – Committee for Education and Cultural Action (ICOM-CECA) Annual Conference 2026, which will take place from November 9 to 14, 2026.

Established in 1968, ICOM-CECA is the largest committee under the International Council of Museums (ICOM), focusing on museum education, cultural participation, and social transformation.

The annual conference serves as a platform for museum professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge and experiences while strengthening the role of museums in society.

Under the theme, "Museums in Divided Times: How to Foster Dialogue, Caring and a Sense of Belonging?", the conference invites participants to view museums not merely as repositories of collections, but as spaces for dialogue, learning, care, and fostering a sense of belonging amid today's global challenges.

The conference is expected to bring together more than 200 museum professionals from over 50 countries. The program will include plenary sessions, panel discussions at several of Jakarta's iconic museums, including the Bank Indonesia Museum and the Jakarta History Museum, as well as cultural visits to Onrust Archaeological Island, offering delegates an opportunity to experience Indonesia's rich cultural heritage.

Jakarta Culture Agency Head Mochamad Miftahulloh Tamary said hosting the conference is the result of nearly three years of sustained engagement, communication, and strategic discussions carried out by the Jakarta Provincial Government in collaboration with Musee ID and ICOM-CECA partners.

"We extend our deepest appreciation to everyone whose hard work has made Jakarta's selection as host possible," he said during a press conference for the ICOM-CECA Annual Conference 2026 at Jakarta City Hall on Thursday (9/7).

Miftahulloh said 2026 will mark a historic milestone, with Indonesia hosting the ICOM-CECA Annual Conference for the first time since the committee was established.

"This recognition demonstrates Jakarta's capacity to serve as a center of culture and a hub for international cultural dialogue," he pointed.

He added that the Jakarta Provincial Government is fully committed to supporting the conference by providing the main venue at Taman Ismail Marzuki and facilitating coordination with museums across Jakarta to ensure the event runs smoothly and delivers the best possible experience for delegates.

"We believe hosting the ICOM-CECA Annual Conference 2026 aligns with Jakarta's vision of becoming an open, competitive, and sustainable global city. The conference also marks an important milestone on the road to Jakarta's 500th anniversary in 2027 while strengthening the city's position within the international cultural network," he said.

Meanwhile, ICOM-CECA President Wencke Maderbacher welcomed Jakarta's selection to host the conference.

She said the event will provide an important opportunity for the global museum community to strengthen international collaboration while reinforcing museums' role as spaces for learning, dialogue, and community empowerment.

"Indonesia has tremendous potential to showcase its rich cultural heritage and museum education practices to the world," she said.

Maderbacher explained that ICOM is an international organization representing museums and museum professionals worldwide.

Within the organization, ICOM-CECA is one of its oldest and largest committees, focusing on museum education and cultural action.

The committee currently has more than 4,500 individual members from around 85 countries, who actively share knowledge, conduct research, and organize annual conferences that serve as platforms for museum professionals worldwide to exchange experiences.

"The annual conference is our largest event, so we are very much looking forward to gathering in Jakarta this November. Seeing the enthusiasm and preparations already underway, we cannot wait to meet our colleagues in Indonesia," she noted.

Maderbacher added that ICOM-CECA also organizes a range of international programs, including awards for excellence in museum education, research awards, and awards recognizing young members.

The committee also operates several international discussion groups that regularly address issues such as the professional development of museum educators, museum decolonization, accessibility, inclusion, and audience development.

"All of these initiatives are intended to strengthen museums' capacity to address social challenges across different countries," she explained.

She added that hosting the ICOM-CECA Annual Conference 2026 in Jakarta will also provide an opportunity to introduce Indonesia's museum education developments to the international community.

"I hope the partnerships built through this conference will lead to more collaborations, publications, and knowledge exchange, while further strengthening Jakarta's position as a city that embraces global cultural dialogue in line with this year's conference theme," she said.