ICOM - International Council of Museums

11/13/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/13/2025 03:21

ICOM Dubai 2025 Kicks Off!

Museum professionals and cultural leaders from across the globe are gathering in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the most significant event of the international museum community. This marks the first time the ICOM General Conference has been hosted in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

The conference agenda features more than ten keynote sessions, over 400 speakers, upwards of 100 talks, panels, and workshops, as well as a series of interactive advanced training sessions. The Museum Fair will showcase over 100 exhibitors driving innovation and collaboration in the field.

Widely recognised as the world's largest gathering of museum professionals, the event is presented under the theme 'The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities'. The conference will explore how museums can respond to today's demographic, technological, and environmental transformations through creative and innovative approaches that empower communities, preserve heritage, and celebrate cultural diversity.

The weeklong programme will feature inspiring discussions around the sub-themes Youth Power, Intangible Heritage,and New Technologies in a mix of thought-provoking keynotes, practical workshops, and collaborative sessions. ICOM Dubai 2025 aims to reimagine museums as vibrant, participatory spaces for creativity, learning, and social engagement.

The hybrid-format conference will feature more than ten keynote sessions led by global cultural leaders and museum experts, over 400 speakers sharing their insights and perspectives, and upwards of 100 dialogue forums tackling the most pressing challenges and opportunities in museology.

Highlights include 'AI and Museums: From Vision to Global Action', featuring Medea S. Ekner, Director General of ICOM, and Krista Pikkat, Director for Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO's Culture Sector.

The roundtable 'The Revision of the ICOM Code of Ethics' will bring together leading voices from the international museum community, Sally Yerkovich, Julie Higashi, Bruno Brulon Soares, Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, Luisa De Peña Diaz, and Dr Kathrin Pabst, to discuss the ongoing work and global implications of revising the profession's cornerstone document. The session will be moderated by Hilary Carty OBE, Executive Director of Clore Leadership.

The in-conversation session 'Reframing Power: Whose Stories Do Museums Tell?' will explore the narratives that shape museum practice, featuring Farid Rakun, Dr Natalie McGuire, and Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi in a dialogue on representation, voice, and cultural responsibility.

Another highlight, 'The Spirit of Exchange: The UAE's Unique View on Cultural Diplomacy', will offer insights from Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum and Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, in conversation with Mina Al Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National.

The panel 'Defying Convention: Developing Museums Anew' will be moderated by Dr Peter Magee, Director of the Zayed National Museum, and feature Gavane Umerova, Mona Khazindar, Mulenca Kaowedwe, and Dr Christian Greco,who will discuss new approaches to museum development, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.

A further highlight will be the session 'Fighting Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property: Focus on Digital Tools', organised in collaboration with ICOM, UNESCO, and Interpol.

These sessions will lead up to the presentation of the ICOM Award for Sustainable Practices in Museums, the first global award that recognises innovative initiatives and exemplary practices that contribute meaningfully to sustainable development within the museum sector, marking a fitting conclusion to the conference's exploration of innovation, ethics, and sustainability in the museum field.

Interactive workshops and advanced training sessions will provide participants with opportunities to explore new strategies for building sustainable, innovative museums in the digital age. The Museum Fair will also showcase more than 100 exhibitors presenting the latest innovations, creative solutions, and partnership opportunities in the field.

Emma Nardi, Outgoing ICOM President, said:
"The ICOM general conference is the highlight of our triennial calendar and for the first time, this year, it will take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Museum professionals from all around the world will gather to exchange ideas and imagine new paths forward. In the setting of Dubai, a landmark and crossroad of technological innovation, and cultural transformation, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to us. The Future begins, here at ICOM Dubai 2025."

Medea S. Ekner, Director General of ICOM, said: "This ICOM General Conference comes at a transformative time for the museum field. As our sector evolves, we ask how museums can not only adapt to change but lead it as essential pillars of our societies. ICOM Dubai 2025 will be a place to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and explore how museums can lead change through innovation and community engagement. Together, we are shaping a more connected and forward-looking museum landscape. All of this, because the ICOM General Conference stands as a testament to what collaboration can achieve. ICOM and ICOM UAE's partnership with ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee has been exceptional, a true role model of cooperation and shared purpose. As we begin this exciting week, I am confident that the ideas born here will resonate far beyond these walls, in museums, communities, and classrooms around the world."

Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee, said: "The conference marks a pivotal moment for the global museum community, representing a truly international platform that unites thought leaders, cultural visionaries, and museum professionals to shape the sector's future. Hosting this exceptional event in Dubai reflects recognition of our region's growing influence in global cultural dialogue and the progress we've made in fostering creativity and cross-cultural collaboration. Its importance lies in its ability to capture the spirit of collective action by opening meaningful spaces for new ideas and solutions that redefine museum practice worldwide. This aligns with Dubai's vision of transforming museums into living institutions, turning them into centres for learning, creativity, and inspiration that reflect our belief in culture's power to drive positive change and societal advancement."

Her Excellency noted that through its diverse strategies and initiatives, Dubai continues to redefine what museums can be, creating environments that empower future generations to innovate and strengthen the role of museums as vital pillars of the cultural and creative industries. She added: "The focus on intangible heritage underscores a global commitment to safeguarding living traditions. At the same time, the emphasis on youth and technology reflects the evolving relationship between heritage, innovation, and the digital future."

Nasir Al Darmaki, Chair of ICOM UAE, said: "ICOM Dubai 2025 underscores the role of museums as vital spaces for thought, culture, and creativity that nurture collective awareness and intercultural dialogue. It is a world-class platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging expertise, and envisioning the future of the museum sector. By hosting this conference, Dubai reaffirms its role as a global cultural hub, an incubator for diversity, a catalyst for innovation, and a leader in advancing the museum field toward greater inclusivity, creativity, and sustainability."

The outcomes of the 27th ICOM General Conference will be presented during a media gathering at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Friday, 14 November.

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