EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS
OF REMEMBRANCE
IHRA
The Plenary brought together Heads of Delegation, experts, and international partners from across the IHRA to advance cooperation on Holocaust remembrance, remembrance of the genocide of the Roma – across education, research and related policy initiatives, and countering antisemitism.
Under the theme “Expanding the Frontiers of Remembrance,” the Argentine Presidency marks a historic milestone for the Alliance. A full member of the IHRA for more than two decades, Argentina is the first South American country to chair the organization and host its Plenary meetings.
Javier Milei, President of Argentina, attended the opening ceremony at the start of the week, where he welcomed delegates to Buenos Aires and highlighted Argentina’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism.
“Argentina is hono
ured to be the first Latin American country to chair the IHRA. Throughout this Presidency, we seek to strengthen remembrance, confront antisemitism, and expand this cause across our entire region.”
A common theme across the opening ceremony was the responsibility to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma continues to be carried forward for future generations. IHRA Secretary General Michaela Küchler emphasized that “remembrance does not preserve itself. It must be researched, recorded and passed forward.”
Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno similarly highlighted the need to extend remembrance beyond traditional commemorative spaces, observing that “memory cannot remain confined to commemorations, archives, or anniversaries. It must travel across generations, institutions, borders, and cultures.”
Ahead of the Plenary week, the Argentine presidency also marked the tenth anniversary of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism with a conference entitled “Ten Years of the IHRA Working Definition – A Catalyst for Action Against Antisemitism – The Case of Argentina”.
The panels through the day explored the practical use of the Working Definition across sectors from universities to civil society, as well as its adoption and application in Argentina and across Latin America.
Opening the conference, IHRA Chair Marcelo Mindlin highlighted Argentina’s experience in translating the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into practical action across government and civil society.
“First, we have had an anti-discrimination law since 1988. Furthermore, since the state’s adoption of the Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2020, many sectors of the Argentine government and civil society have embraced it.”
The conference set the stage for a week of discussions spanning many areas of the IHRA’s work, including Holocaust remembrance, remembrance of the genocide of the Roma, education, research, and contemporary challenges related to antisemitism and anti-Roma racism.
On Wednesday, 3 June, delegates also took part in workshops focused on Holocaust education and remembrance in Argentina, the history and lives of Holocaust survivors in Argentina, and Nazis in Argentina, including the tensions between history and memory.
As the Argentine Presidency continues, the IHRA will maintain its focus on advancing remembrance of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma, and the fight against antisemitism, while strengthening international cooperation in education and research across Member Countries and beyond.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has concluded its first Plenary under Argentina’s Presidency, held in Buenos Aires from 1 – 4 June.
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