International Council of Museums
Global non-governmental organisation dedicated to museums and cultural heritage protection.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a non-governmental organization focused on museums. It has official ties with UNESCO and advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Established in 1946, ICOM works with groups like the World Intellectual Property Organization, Interpol, and the World Customs Organization on global public service efforts. These include stopping the illegal trade of cultural items and encouraging risk management and emergency readiness to safeguard world heritage from both natural and human-caused disasters. Members receive a card that grants free or reduced admission to many museums worldwide.
ICOM’s origins go back to the International Museums Office (OIM), created in 1926 by the League of Nations. That office was part of the League’s International Commission on Intellectual Cooperation. Like many League projects, the OIM ended after World War II, and ICOM took over its work.
In 1986, ICOM adopted its Code of Ethics for Museums, a reference tool setting standards of excellence that all members must follow. Translated into 39 languages and updated in 2004, this code outlines shared values and principles for the international museum community. It covers self-regulation basics like museum governance, how to acquire and dispose of collections, and rules for professional conduct. After the 25th General Conference in 2019, ICOM decided to review and possibly revise the code. That review, still ongoing, is led by the ICOM Standing Committee for Ethics (ETHCOM), which handles museum-related ethical issues.
Since 2000, ICOM has published Red Lists to fight the illegal trade in cultural goods, a problem that heavily damages heritage, especially in regions where cultural property is most at risk of theft and looting. Stopping this trade is a top priority for ICOM. The Red Lists raise awareness about smuggling and illegal trade in cultural objects. They help police, customs officials, heritage professionals, and art dealers spot the types of objects most likely to be trafficked. As of 2025, ICOM has issued Red Lists for many countries and regions. These lists are not inventories of stolen items; instead, they are awareness tools that show categories of cultural objects vulnerable to theft and trade. They help people, organizations, and authorities identify at-risk objects and prevent illegal sales or exports. Th
- founded
- 1946
- type
- Non-governmental organisation
- field
- Museums and cultural heritage
- headquarters
- Not specified in article
- key_publications
- ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums (1986, revised 2004), Red Lists (since 2000)
- known_for
- Fighting illicit traffic in cultural goods, International Museum Day, Red Lists, CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (ISO 21127)
Lore & Background
Since 2000, ICOM has published its Red Lists to combat the illicit traffic in cultural goods, raising awareness on smuggling and illicit trade in cultural objects. These lists are not lists of stolen objects but awareness-raising tools to identify categories of cultural objects subject to theft and traffic. They have contributed to the identification, recovery and restitution of thousands of cultural objects from Iraq, Afghanistan and Mali. ICOM also operates a Museums Emergency Programme (MEP) and a Disaster Relief for Museums Task Force (DRTF), assisting museums worldwide in conflict situations or natural disasters, with support from the Getty Conservation Institute and ICCROM.
Reader's Guide
ICOM's significance lies in its role as a central coordinating body for museums worldwide, setting ethical standards through its Code of Ethics and providing practical tools like the Red Lists to combat illicit trafficking of cultural goods. Its International Museum Day, held annually since 1977 around 18 May, raises public awareness of museums' role in developing society. The organisation's CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model, formalised as ISO 21127, provides a semantic framework for mapping cultural heritage information across museums, libraries, and archives. ICOM's governance includes a President (currently Antonio Rodríguez) and a Director General (currently Medea Ekner), with triennial General Conferences gathering museum professionals globally. Through its 35 international committees and 120 national committees, ICOM ensures representation and implementation of programmes across diverse museum specialties and regions. Its partnerships with Interpol, the World Customs Organization, and UNESCO strengthen its capacity to protect cultural heritage during natural or man-made disasters and to fight illicit traffic. The ongoing review of its Code of Ethics, initiated in 2019, reflects ICOM's commitment to adapting its standards to evolving museum practices.
Did You Know?
- ICOM was founded in 1946, succeeding the defunct International Museums Office created in 1926 by the League of Nations.
- The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, adopted in 1986 and revised in 2004, has been translated into 39 languages.
- ICOM's Red Lists, first published in 2000, have helped recover thousands of cultural objects from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.
- ICOM has organised International Museum Day every year since 1977, held around 18 May.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the International Council of Museums?
ICOM is a non-governmental organization established in 1946 that serves as the global umbrella body for museums and cultural heritage. It maintains official ties with UNESCO and holds advisory status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
What does ICOM actually do?
The organization collaborates with agencies like Interpol, WIPO, and the World Customs Organization to combat the illegal trafficking of cultural objects. It also promotes risk management and emergency preparedness to protect heritage from both natural and human-caused disasters.
When was ICOM founded?
ICOM was established in 1946 as a non-governmental organization dedicated to the museum field and the protection of cultural heritage worldwide.
Why is ICOM important to the museum world?
It provides the international ethical framework through its Code of Ethics for Museums and maintains Red Lists that flag endangered cultural objects at risk of illegal trade. Its members also receive identification cards that facilitate their work across borders.
What is ICOM most known for?
Beyond its anti-trafficking work, ICOM is recognized for publishing the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums (originally 1986, revised 2004), maintaining Red Lists since 2000, and developing the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model, which became ISO standard 21127.
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