IBA 14th General Assembly to be held in Lahore in March 2027

View from Lahore Fort. Image by Amna Zuberi. Courtesy Lahore Biennale Foundation

We are delighted to announce that the 14th General Assembly of the International Biennial Association (IBA) will take place in Lahore, Pakistan between March 27th and March 31st, 2027, during the inaugural days of the 4th Edition of Lahore Biennale (LB04) curated by Nav Haq. The decision was taken by the board after the recently concluded 13th General Assembly having carefully considered the multiple proposals received as a result of our open call.

Organised by the Lahore Biennale Foundation, and previously directed by Qudsia Rahim (2018), and curated by Hoor Al Qasimi (2020), and John Tain (2024) the biennial has caught international attention since its first edition in its ability to bring the most relevant international artists and curators to interact with the unique sites present in the east Pakistani city. Hosted by the Lahore Biennale Foundation, represented on the IBA Board by its Executive Director Qudsia Rahim, the gathering reflects IBA’s continued effort to ensure that its annual assemblies are shaped by the diverse cultural, political, and social contexts in which biennials operate.

As with previous editions, the General Assembly will bring together IBA members, partners, researchers, artists, and the wider public through a program of conferences, round tables, workshops, and public events. In an exceptional move, the General Assembly will also coincide with the opening IBA Regional Meeting for Asia. This decision was taken to create an expanded platform where international exchange and regional dialogue can unfold side by side. While many sessions will be shared across both gatherings, the Regional Meeting will place particular emphasis on workshops and discussions addressing the specific opportunities, challenges, and institutional realities shaping biennials across  Asia. Bringing these two formats together reflects IBA’s growing commitment to fostering stronger regional networks within the wider mission of bringing biennials across the world closer together in dialogue. Taking place during the opening days of the 4th Lahore Biennale, the General Assembly will allow our members and guests to experience the exhibition and its public program.

The Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) is a leading non-profit platform for contemporary art in Pakistan, dedicated to supporting artistic research, experimentation, public engagement, and international exchange. Through exhibitions, publications, research initiatives, educational programs, and long-term partnerships, LBF creates opportunities for artists, scholars, institutions, and communities to produce and encounter new ideas. Its work strengthens Pakistan’s cultural landscape, connects Lahore with regional and global networks, and advances critical conversations around art, society, history, and the environment.