Icom adopts new code of ethics for museums in bid to address a ‘rapidly changing world’

The International Council of Museums (Icom) adopted a revised code of ethics on 25 June at its 41st general assembly in Paris, with 85.9% of members voting in favor after more than five years of development. The updated code replaces the 2004 version (and follows the original 1986 code) and addresses issues including AI and other digital technologies, the climate crisis, and museums’ colonial legacies, while aligning with Icom’s contested 2022 museum definition. Sally Yekovich of Columbia University, who led the revision, said the new text clarifies and strengthens the 2004 code, and Icom said it will be supported by practical guidance for museum professionals. Icom’s Legal Affairs Committee noted the removal of the prior Principle VII (“Museums operate in a legal manner”) as a significant change and said it is developing separate binding legal guidelines to complement the ethics code.

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