Outcomes of the 27th ICOM General Conference: ICOM Sets Strategic Direction for the Museum Sector, International Council of Museums, 20 November 2025
The 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), held on 11-17 November, in Dubai, UAE, under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” brought a series of major outcomes that will guide ICOM’s work in the coming years. With thousands of participants from across the globe, the conference reaffirmed ICOM’s global leadership in shaping the future of museums and cultural heritage.
The 27th ICOM General Conference – ICOM Dubai 2025 made history as the first ever held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Over 4,500 museum professionals, cultural leaders, and policymakers from around the world convened in Dubai, transforming the emirate into a vibrant global hub of cultural dialogue and collaboration. The conference was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and was attended by high-profile dignitaries and UAE government leaders including Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, alongside Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, and Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State — further reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to advancing the museum sector.