The 27th General Conference of ICOM (International Council of Museums) will take place in Dubai from 11 to 17 November 2025 under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”. It marks the first time the central event of ICOM will be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region. Over recent decades, Dubai has undergone a profound transformation — its cultural sector has evolved from the ground up into a key player on the regional map, while still maintaining a strong connection to tradition and heritage.
The conference will highlight museum professionals who are reshaping the industry not from London or New York, but from the emerging cultural capitals of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Hala Badri, Chair of the Organising Committee and Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, called the event “a platform for exchange between thought leaders, cultural professionals, and museum experts”.
“Dubai continues to enrich the global cultural landscape by celebrating diversity and positioning itself as a meeting point for creative minds from around the world. Hosting ICOM Dubai 2025 reflects the emirate’s ability to convene global experts and new voices to explore the evolving role of museums,” Badri said. Developers following UAE housing news today note a growing interest among premium buyers in neighborhoods with access to cultural infrastructure, reflecting a broader trend linking lifestyle and art spaces to real estate value.
Key speakers and three main thematic pillars — from intangible heritage to technology
The keynote address will be delivered by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, whose leadership has been central to the development of Dubai’s creative economy. Other speakers include Emma Nardi, President of ICOM; Kamini Sawhney, Director of the Museum of Art and Photography in Bengaluru; and Sumayya Vally, Head of Counterspace Studio in South Africa.
The conference program is divided into three focus areas:
- Intangible heritage
- The power of youth
- New technologies
Panels, heritage tours across the UAE and the wider region, and an opening gala at Expo City Dubai will accompany the sessions. In parallel, the Museum Fair at the Dubai World Trade Centre will allow professionals to showcase their work and exchange ideas with peers.
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Founded in 1946, ICOM connects more than 57,000 members in 129 countries, including curators, restorers, educators, and museum specialists. The organization’s mission is to preserve, promote, and develop museums worldwide. The previous General Conference was held in Prague in 2023.
Why hosting ICOM in Dubai changes the balance of the global museum world
Bringing ICOM to Dubai marks a shift in the global cultural dialogue. Previously, such conferences were typically hosted in established cultural capitals of Europe and North America. The choice of Dubai acknowledges the growing influence of regions where museology is developing under different conditions — rapid population growth, multicultural societies, and digital transformation from the ground up.
Participants will explore how museums can preserve heritage, spark innovation, and foster dialogue among communities in an era of rapid change. For cultural professionals and expats who own property or assets in the UAE, understanding how the inheritance law UAE regulates asset transfer is a key part of long-term planning — especially for those who are building their careers within the country’s growing museum and creative sectors.
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Dubai positions itself as a hub where global experts and new voices meet. The emirate continues to invest heavily in cultural infrastructure — from the Etihad Museum, opened in 2016 and preserving artifacts that trace the nation’shistory, to modern galleries and creative exhibition spaces. The upcoming ICOM Dubai 2025 conference will test how successfully Dubai can compete with established cultural capitals for the right to shape the future of the museum world.
