Sheikh Hamdan Opens ICOM 2025 in Dubai

Dubai made history as His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, inaugurated the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025). The landmark global event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, marks the first time the prestigious conference is being hosted in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region.

Under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” the event brings together more than 4,500 museum professionals, cultural leaders, and decision-makers from around the world—reinforcing Dubai’s growing role as a global centre for culture, creativity, and knowledge exchange.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior UAE leaders, including His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, along with ministers and cultural experts from across the globe.

A Showcase of Innovation and Heritage

On the first day, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikha Latifa toured the Museum Fair, which featured more than 100 global institutions showcasing cutting-edge technologies, interactive exhibits, and creative projects that are reshaping how people experience museums. The fair served as a hub for collaboration and exchange, encouraging new partnerships across the global museum community.

Sheikha Latifa, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, delivered a heartfelt keynote that celebrated Dubai’s role in connecting diverse cultures and ideas. She described the event as a “convergence of worlds” where stories, traditions, and innovations intertwine to form a living archive of human creativity. Reflecting on Dubai’s cultural journey, she said the city’s strength lies in its deep roots of exchange, creativity, and openness to new ideas.

Celebrating Diversity and Dialogue

The opening sessions explored themes of Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies, highlighting how museums can stay relevant in fast-changing societies. A major session, “AI and Museums: From Vision to Global Action,” brought together experts from ICOM and UNESCO to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence in preserving and interpreting culture.

For the first time in ICOM’s history, Arabic has been included as one of its official languages—an important milestone that reflects the region’s growing influence in the global cultural landscape.

Youth, Conservation, and the Digital Future

Day one also featured dynamic workshops and mentoring sessions for young professionals, including “Reverse Mentoring: Empowering Youth for Museums and Heritage,” hosted by Singapore’s National Heritage Board. Experts from leading institutions such as Art Jameel, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, and LinkedIn MENA shared insights on the future of museum leadership, conservation, and digital innovation.

The discussions continued with masterclasses on “Strategies for Conservation” led by international specialists, exploring both traditional and tech-driven preservation techniques.

As ICOM Dubai 2025 continues through the week, the city stands as a bridge between cultures—where heritage meets innovation and history inspires the future. Through this global gathering, Dubai reaffirms its vision to be not just a host of world events but a home for creativity, dialogue, and shared human stories.