ICOM Dubai 2025 Concludes Historic Edition, Focusing On Future Of Museums And Cultural Diplomacy

The 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025) concluded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This historic event, held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, attracted over 4,500 participants. The theme was ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,’ highlighting Dubai's role as a cultural hub.

H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum participated in a session titled ‘The Spirit of Exchange: The UAE’s Unique View on Cultural Diplomacy.’ She emphasised the UAE's unity and cultural identity, stating: "I have always believed that the strength of the UAE lies in our unity. When Dubai succeeds, Abu Dhabi benefits, and when Abu Dhabi achieves a milestone, Dubai feels that success too."

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Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi highlighted the excitement surrounding cultural developments in the UAE. She noted that creators thrive within a supportive ecosystem and emphasised cultural diplomacy as a lived practice. Collaborations with organisations like UNESCO focus on capacity-building and long-term development. Her team’s work in Baghdad since 2018 has trained over 7,000 Iraqi professionals.

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy stressed museums' role in cultural diplomacy during her session ‘The Power of Narrative, Heritage, and Youth.’ She described them as platforms for dialogue and understanding. Events like Expo 2020 Dubai foster mutual understanding among nations by representing diverse voices and empowering youth to participate actively.

Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh delivered a keynote address affirming museums' role in preserving creativity while adapting to change. He stated: "Museums face challenges centred on preserving the essence of human creativity while simultaneously responding to its continuous evolution." He highlighted their importance as spaces for memory, dialogue, and discovery.

Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak discussed museums' transformative role in communities. He said: "In the UAE, we believe in the growing role and value of museums." He noted that despite global challenges in cultural investment, the UAE continues to invest due to heritage's importance for future prosperity.

Future Prospects for Museums

Architect Sumayya Vally addressed ‘Foundations: Toward a Shared Language of Place, Practice, and Possibility.’ Meanwhile, Antonio Rodriguez was announced as ICOM's new President at the closing ceremony. Rotterdam will host ICOM 2028. The event also honoured individuals with the inaugural ICOM Sustainability Award for supporting sustainable museum practices.

The conference featured over 100 panel discussions and workshops. Sessions included ‘Museums After Conflict: Creating Spaces for Recovery’ with Dr. Gamini Wijesuria and Marianne Pastor Roces. Another panel titled ‘Challenging the Familiar: Reimagining Museums’ was moderated by Dr. Peter Magee with various international experts participating.

Networking Opportunities

On its third day, ICOM Dubai 2025 hosted sessions from ICOM Germany Youth Network alongside professional networking events featuring regional cultural institutions like Sharjah Museums Authority and Louvre Abu Dhabi. These sessions facilitated expertise exchange and strengthened regional partnerships within the museum community.

The conference provided an invaluable platform for global museum professionals to collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences. It underscored Dubai's commitment to fostering creativity through cultural initiatives while promoting international cooperation within this vital sector.

With inputs from WAM