Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai will tomorrow welcome over 4,500 museum professionals, cultural policymakers, and academics for the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) — the first time the event is being held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region.
The weeklong gathering, themed “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” will explore how museums can adapt to demographic, technological, and environmental shifts through creativity and innovation. The event aims to position museums as dynamic spaces that inspire learning, preserve heritage, and drive social engagement.
Organised by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, ICOM Dubai 2025 will feature more than 10 keynote sessions, 400 speakers, and 100 dialogue forums. Key discussions include “AI and Museums: From Vision to Global Action” and “Challenging the Familiar: Reinventing Museums,” alongside sessions addressing sustainability, heritage protection, and the evolving ethics of museology.
The conference will also introduce the inaugural ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums and host elections for the new ICOM President and Executive Board. The Museum Fair, featuring over 100 exhibitors, will showcase cutting-edge innovations and creative collaborations from across the global museum industry.
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, said the event reflects Dubai’s growing role in shaping global cultural dialogue.
“Hosting ICOM 2025 highlights our region’s progress in fostering creativity and collaboration while redefining museums as living institutions that drive learning and innovation,”
she said.
ICOM President Prof. Emma Nardi called the conference a landmark for the region, while Director General Medea S. Ekner said it comes at a transformative time, uniting the global museum community to lead change through innovation and shared knowledge.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
