On 12 November 2024, cultural professionals, museum leaders, and heritage experts, including ICOM International Committee chairs, from around the world gathered at the Etihad Museum in Dubai for the ICOM International Symposium. A pivotal moment in the lead-up to ICOM Dubai 2025, the symposium explored the profound role of museums in rapidly changing communities, setting the stage for conversations that will define the future of cultural institutions globally.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The symposium, hosted in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and ICOM UAE, invited participants to engage with the three key themes of ICOM Dubai 2025: Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies. These interconnected themes provided the foundation for discussions, workshops, and expert-led sessions aimed at reimagining museums as dynamic spaces of dialogue, innovation, and inclusivity
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, delivered a powerful speech highlighting Dubai’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and positioning museums as key drivers of knowledge and community engagement. She emphasised the importance of global collaboration in ensuring museums remain relevant, inclusive, and future-focused. The program opened with remarks from His Excellency Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, who noted that the International Council of Museums (ICOM) provides a vital platform connecting museum professionals, experts, and cultural leaders worldwide.
Keynote speakers included His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of the UAE University, who underscored the significance of cultural stewardship in an era of transformation, and Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, who spoke about the evolving role of museums in preserving and showcasing Arab heritage. Edward Rodley, renowned experience designer, shared insights on how immersive storytelling and digital tools can reshape visitor engagement.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. His Excellency Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates. ICOM President Emma Nardi. ICOM Director General Medea Ekner. Photos © Dubai Culture.
Additionally, the ICOM President and the ICOM Director General addressed the audience, reinforcing the significance of international partnerships and ICOM’s role in shaping the future of the museum sector.
Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, and Chairperson of ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee closed the Scientific Congress by reflecting on the collective commitment of museums to creating a thriving platform for dialogue.
A Catalyst for ICOM Dubai 2025
The ICOM International Symposium in Dubai marked a significant step toward ICOM Dubai 2025, reinforcing the role of museums as adaptable, forward-thinking institutions. As the global museum community prepares to reconvene in Dubai this year, the insights and collaborations fostered during the symposium will inform strategies for a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient future.
ICOM Dubai 2025 will continue this dialogue, welcoming museum professionals, cultural practitioners, and thought leaders to shape the next chapter of museum practice worldwide. In the General Conference year, the theme of International Museum Day (celebrated around the world on the 18th of May every year) aligns with that of the General Conference, further reinforcing the global museum community’s shared priorities. This date will mark the next lead up to the ICOM Dubai 2025 conference.
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