All Congress pictures are available on the FIA Flikr and the Resolutions are available for download in PDF format in English, French, Spanish and Russian at the bottom of this page.
From 12 to 15 November 2025, the FIA held its 23rd World Congress in Birmingham, United Kingdom, bringing together nearly 150 delegates from more than 61 countries, representing every continent. Hosted by Equity UK, the Congress marked the first time since 2016 that affiliates were able to meet in person for this key moment of union democracy, following the online edition held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held every four years, the Congress is the moment when FIA affiliates collectively take responsibility for the organisation’s direction, review its work, and define the political and union priorities that will guide action in the years ahead. Over several days, delegates engaged in statutory business, policy debates, and exchanges on the major challenges facing performers worldwide.
The diversity of the FIA membership was strongly reflected throughout the Congress. With 85 affiliated unions and associations, discussions were enriched by a wide range of national realities and experiences, reinforcing FIA’s role as a united international voice for performers: one that listens, connects, and acts in the shared interest of its members.
Against a global backdrop marked by political polarisation, growing intolerance, and mounting pressure on democratic values, the Congress provided space for collective reflection on the role of performers and their unions in defending freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and social justice. These concerns were interwoven throughout the programme, alongside debates on the profound transformations affecting the arts and entertainment sector.
Technological change, and in particular the rapid development of artificial intelligence, featured prominently in Congress discussions. Delegates examined the implications for artistic creation, employment, and performers’ rights, sharing approaches to regulation, collective bargaining, and international advocacy. These exchanges highlighted the need for coordinated action to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of human creativity, dignity, and fair working conditions.
Questions of working conditions, fair pay, and collective bargaining were also central to the Congress. Affiliates shared experiences from different regions on organising in increasingly fragmented labour markets, strengthening protections for freelance and self-employed performers, and responding to economic pressures intensified by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Throughout these discussions, the importance of solidarity and mutual support across borders was repeatedly underlined.
The Congress programme also addressed diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the sustainability of cultural funding and the defence of public support for the arts. Delegates explored how unions can continue to promote inclusive practices and protect access to culture in environments where funding cuts and political interference increasingly threaten artistic ecosystems.
Alongside these thematic exchanges, the Congress carried out its statutory responsibilities, including the adoption of motions, reports, and constitutional amendments, as well as the renewal of FIA’s governing bodies. These decisions will shape the Federation’s work and governance over the coming mandate.
Hosted in Birmingham, a city with a strong industrial and cultural heritage, the Congress reaffirmed FIA’s commitment to international unionism and to the broader struggle for workers’ rights. While FIA represents performers, the Congress consistently emphasised that performers are creative workers, who deserve the same respect, protection, and decent conditions as all other workers.
As the Congress concluded, delegates reaffirmed their shared commitment to unity, solidarity, and collective action. The outcomes of the 23rd World Congress will guide FIA’s political and union work in the years ahead, ensuring that the voice of performers continues to be heard clearly and forcefully on the international stage.
Congress resolutions 2025 in English
Congress resolutions 2025 in French
