Dubai: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is set to open tomorrow. This prestigious event, hosted for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, positions Dubai as a significant hub for cultural exchange and intellectual collaboration.
According to Emirates News Agency, ICOM Dubai 2025, recognized as the world's largest gathering of museum professionals, will welcome more than 4,500 participants, including leading museum experts, cultural policymakers, and academics globally. The conference theme, 'The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,' aims to address the impact of demographic, technological, and environmental transformations on museums and explore innovative approaches to empower communities, preserve heritage, and celebrate cultural diversity.
The Organising Committee of ICOM Dubai 2025 has unveiled details of the weeklong program, which will include discussions on sub-themes like Youth Empowerment, Intangible Heritage, and New Technologies. The event will feature keynotes, workshops, and collaborative sessions, reimagining museums as spaces for creativity, learning, and social engagement.
The hybrid-format conference will host over 10 keynote sessions led by global cultural leaders, more than 400 speakers, and upwards of 100 dialogue forums. Key sessions include 'AI and Museums: From Vision to Global Action,' featuring prominent figures such as Medea S. Ekner and Krista Pikkat; and 'Challenging the Familiar: Reinventing Museums,' moderated by Dr. Peter Magee with participation from international experts.
Other notable sessions include 'Nature as Partner: The Power of Restoration,' led by Marjan Faraidooni, with contributions from global thought leaders. The conference will also feature a Revision of the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums roundtable, sessions on illicit trafficking, and the Inaugural ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums.
ICOM Dubai 2025 will host International Committees sessions reflecting ICOM's diverse network and representing various disciplines. Additionally, the new ICOM President and Executive Board will be elected, and the host city for ICOM 2028 will be announced during the closing ceremony.
Interactive workshops and advanced training sessions will provide participants opportunities to explore new strategies for sustainable, innovative museums. The event will also feature the Museum Fair, showcasing innovations and partnership opportunities, reinforcing Dubai's position as a cultural and innovation hub.
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee, emphasized the conference's importance as a platform uniting thought leaders and cultural visionaries to shape the future of the museum sector. She highlighted Dubai's commitment to transforming museums into living institutions and fostering creativity and cross-cultural collaboration.
Prof. Emma Nardi, President of ICOM, expressed gratitude for the exceptional dedication in bringing the conference to the MEASA region, noting its significance for the international museum community. Medea S. Ekner, Director General of ICOM, emphasized the conference's transformative timing for the museum field, highlighting its role in exploring innovation and community engagement.
Nasir Al Darmaki, Chair of ICOM UAE, underscored the conference's role in nurturing collective awareness and intercultural dialogue, reaffirming Dubai's position as a global cultural hub and leader in advancing the museum sector toward inclusivity, creativity, and sustainability.