Latifa Bint Mohammed Welcomes ICOM Board Members To Discuss Cultural Heritage In Dubai
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, recently engaged with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Executive Board. The meeting, held at Etihad Museum during the ICOM 2024 International Symposium in Dubai, included ICOM President Dr. Emma Nardi, Director General Medea S. Ekner, and ICOM UAE Chair Nasir Al Darmaki.
Sheikha Latifa expressed Dubai's dedication to supporting ICOM’s mission. She stated, "Dubai is deeply honoured to partner with ICOM in supporting museums as vital custodians of our collective cultural heritage; our shared vision is to strengthen the role of museums, not only as spaces of preservation but as dynamic centres for cultural exchange, knowledge, and innovation."
The upcoming 27th ICOM General Conference in 2025 will be hosted by Dubai. This event marks a first for the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions. It highlights Dubai's status as a global centre for culture and creativity. Sheikha Latifa emphasised that this conference will enhance the museum sector both locally and internationally.
Sheikha Latifa also discussed future collaborations with ICOM beyond the 2025 conference. These include regional best practices in museums, cultural exchange programmes, youth training initiatives, and capacity-building projects. Such efforts aim to foster a vibrant museum sector that inspires communities worldwide.
The ICOM General Conference in Dubai is anticipated to draw over 4,000 museum professionals from around the world. This gathering will provide a platform for sharing expertise and advancing the global museum community's goals.
ICOM plays a crucial role in the cultural sector with its extensive network. It boasts over 53,000 members across 130 countries representing more than 20,000 museums globally. This makes it an essential institution for promoting cultural heritage preservation.
Dubai Culture collaborated with several local entities to secure the bid for hosting the conference in 2021. Partners included Dubai Municipality and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism alongside ICOM-UAE.
The partnership between Dubai Culture and ICOM aims to create lasting impacts that transcend borders. By nurturing a vibrant museum sector, they hope to inspire future generations to connect with their heritage while embracing a global perspective on culture.
This collaboration underscores Dubai's commitment to promoting heritage preservation and creativity on an international scale. The city aims to continue enriching communities through innovative cultural exchanges and initiatives well into the future.
With inputs from WAM
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