ICOM Dubai 2025 Day 2 Puts Museums at Heart of Change

Day Two of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025) unfolded in Dubai with powerful conversations on how museums must evolve in a rapidly changing world. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the event brought together cultural leaders, curators, researchers, and museum professionals from across the globe for the first-ever ICOM conference held in the Middle East and South Asia region.

The day opened with remarks by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Chairperson of the Organising Committee. She reflected on Dubai’s journey to hosting the global gathering, describing it as a result of long-term commitment and the leadership values inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She highlighted the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who shaped the event’s vision built around Intangible Heritage, New Technologies, and Youth Power. These three pillars form the core of ICOM Dubai 2025, inviting the world to explore museums as protectors of living memory and evolving identity.

Badri said the conference signals Dubai’s confidence in redefining museum practice and contributing to global cultural dialogue, with a strong focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and future-oriented thinking.

A major highlight of the day was a keynote by Rakan bin Ibrahim Al Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture in Saudi Arabia. He outlined Saudi Arabia’s growing museum landscape and the country’s push toward an interconnected ecosystem of national and specialised museums. He emphasised the role of museums as civic spaces that move beyond collections to enable public participation and new narratives.

The programme continued with a keynote by Kamini Sawhney addressing the question, “Whose Museum Is It Anyway?” She examined how museums can rebuild public trust by reshaping their relationship with communities.

Throughout the day, discussions centered on the shifting role of museums in response to changing societal values, demographics, and global cultural expectations. A key dialogue, “Reframing Power: Whose Stories Do Museums Tell?”, brought together artists and curators from the Global South to discuss shared cultural practices, local storytelling, and a more community-led approach to interpretation.

Another session, “The Interconnectivity of Life,” explored multi-species perspectives in museum thinking, featuring voices from Zoma Museum, teamLab, and academic experts. Parallel to this, a roundtable review of the ICOM Code of Ethics examined how global museums can remain human-centred and responsible amid social transformation.

The day also featured a series of focused mentoring sessions on leadership, conservation, visitor experience, and youth engagement. Masterclasses ranged from reverse mentoring led by Singapore’s Youth Panel to practical toolkits for enhancing visitor experience in museum districts.

Delegates also participated in curated networking visits across cultural institutions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including Ishara Art Foundation, Alserkal, Museum of the Future, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, the Museum Fair continued to attract strong visitor interest. Emirati heritage took centre stage with live Talli embroidery, artisan showcases, henna art, and coffee tasting. Hands-on activities such as keychain crafting and bespoke scent-making added a sensory dimension to the fair. Emirati chefs served traditional canapés connecting food with cultural storytelling, offering an immersive experience for attendees.

As Day Two wrapped up, ICOM Dubai 2025 reinforced its role as a global platform where museum professionals exchange ideas on identity, heritage, innovation, and the future of cultural institutions—reflecting a world where museums must evolve alongside their communities.