In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.
FAQs
ICOM Dubai 2025 (27th ICOM General Conference)
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is an international organisation of museums and museum professionals which is committed to the research, conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible. As a network of experts, comprising over 60 000 professionals in 139 countries and territories, ICOM makes recommendations on issues related to cultural heritage, promotes capacity building and advances knowledge. ICOM is the voice of museum professionals on an international stage and raises public cultural awareness through global networks and co-operation programmes. ICOM is the only global organisation in the museum field.
Every three years, ICOM hosts its General Conference, a flagship event that brings together thousands of museum professionals from around the world to engage in dialogue around the theme of crucial interest to facilitate cultural exchange, promote international cooperation, and inspire local action so as to allow museums to continue their public service mission to society. The selection of Dubai as the hosting city for the 27th edition marks a historic moment, positioning Dubai as the first city in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia to host this prestigious international event since ICOM’s first General Conference in 1948.
Dates and Locations
ICOM Dubai 2025 will take place from 12 to 17 November 2025. 11 November is reserved for ICOM’s Statutory Meetings, which are open to voting members and Committee Representatives only. 17 November will feature the regional excursions (not included in the registration fee and optional).
The main venue is the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), with additional events held at cultural landmarks across Dubai and the UAE.
Registration and Participation
The conference is open to everyone, museum and cultural sector professionals, academics, students, ICOM members, and non-members alike. Anyone with an interest in the cultural sector, from anywhere in the world, is welcome to attend.
ICOM General Conferences typically welcome over 3,000 participants.
Yes, registration fees apply, with different rates for ICOM members, non-members, students, and accompanying persons. The full fee structure is published on Registration – ICOM 2025. ICOM members enjoy special rates based on the ICOM classification of countries by category.
| Category 1: | |
| Andorra
Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Brunei Canada Darussalam Denmark Finland France Germany Holy See Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Kuwait |
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Qatar Republic of Korea San Marino Saudi Arabia Singapore Sweden Switzerland United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain Northern Ireland United States of America |
| Category 2: | |
| Bahamas
Bulgaria Chile Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Greece Hungary Israel Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Malaysia |
Oman
Panama Poland Portugal Romania Russian Federation Seychelles Slovakia Slovenia Spain Trinidad and Tobago Türkiye Uruguay |
| Category 3: | |
| Albania
Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan Barbados Belarus Bhutan Bolivia (Plurinational State of) Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil China Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eswatini Fiji Gabon Georgia Grenada Guatemala Guyana Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq |
Jamaica
Jordan Lao People’s Democratic Republic Lebanon Maldives Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Namibia Nauru North Macedonia Palau Paraguay Peru Philippines Republic of Moldova Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Serbia South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Syrian Arab Republic Thailand Tunisia Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Vietnam |
| Category 4: | |
| Angola
Bangladesh Belize Benin Cabo Verde Cambodia (Republic of) Cameroon Congo Côte d’Ivoire Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Djibouti Ghana Honduras India Kenya Kyrgyzstan Libya Marshall Islands Mauritania |
Micronesia (Federated States of) Myanmar
Nepal Nicaragua Nigeria Pakistan Palestine Papua New Guinea Samoa São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Sudan Tajikistan Tonga Tuvalu Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) |
| Category 5: | |
| Afghanistan
Burkina Faso Burundi Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Eritrea Ethiopia Gambia (Republic of The) Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Kiribati Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi |
Mali
Mozambique Niger Rwanda Sierra Leone Solomon Islands Somalia South Sudan Timor-Leste Togo Uganda United Republic of Tanzania Vanuatu Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe |
Not at all; you will automatically be assigned a category when you register with your ICOM Number. If you are not a member, no country category will be applied.
Yes, group discounts are available. You can find all necessary information regarding group registration here.
You will receive an official invitation letter automatically after completing your registration for the conference.
Programme and Agenda
The main theme for the General Conference is ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’. The theme encapsulates the dynamic and ever-changing landscape that communities and museums worldwide navigate through today.
The sub-themes are Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies. Sub-themes description can be found on the conference website Conference Programme & Sessions | ICOM Dubai 2025.
Attendees can expect a wide variety of sessions, including keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, roundtables, and networking and mentoring sessions. ICOM International Committees will enrich the dialogue during the International Committees Sessions and the ICs Day programme. A Museum Fair will also be held as part of the conference. The detailed information about the conference programme will be published shortly.
Keynote speakers will include influential figures from the museum and cultural sectors, sharing insights on preservation, innovation, and transformation. Official announcements will be published on ICOM Dubai 2025 website.
Yes, practical and hands-on learning sessions will be offered as part of the programme.
Yes, tours and excursions to explore Dubai and the UAE’s cultural heritage will be offered. Please, visit the conference website for more information
Yes, new initiatives, partnerships, networking events, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Opening Party, the ICOM Sustainability Award Ceremony, and the Flag Relay Ceremony during which the host city for ICOM 2028 will be announced.
The ICOM International Committees bring together leading experts from across the museum sector.Each International Committee (IC) is organising its own sessions and International Committees Day (15 November) will offer a rich and multifaceted exploration of the Conference Theme – The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.
Yes, the Museum Fair will showcase exhibitors and facilitate networking, learning, and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. For all inquiries: icomdubai2025@dwtc.com
Venues and Events
Yes, special tours and excursions to Dubai and UAE cultural sites will be offered. Please visit the conference website for more information.
Legacy and Impact
Dubai was selected as the host city for the 27th ICOM General Conference following a vote by the 90th Advisory Council in November 2021.
The selection of Dubai as the host city for the General Conference 2025 marks a historic moment, as Dubai is the first city in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) to organise this prestigious international event since ICOM’s first General Conference in 1948.
The conference will strengthen the UAE’s role as a cultural hub, promote heritage safeguarding, youth engagement, and innovation in museums.
The event will boost the local cultural sector, attract international attention, and create opportunities for long-term collaboration.
The conference will cover sustainability as a topic through its sessions. ICOM Dubai 2025 is also proud to feature the first ceremony of the ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice along with a dedicated session.
Yes, these will be announced during the General Conference.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
ICOM Dubai 2025 is committed to accessibility and the inclusion of persons with disabilities. For further enquiries, please contact: icomdubai2025@dwtc.com
Venues feature wheelchair access, assistive listening devices, and mobility support. The DWTC Accessibility Map is available to help plan your visit. Contact us for specific assistance.
The conference will be offered in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, with simultaneous translation available.
The scientific programme sessions will be livestreamed, with digital tools in place to create an engaging and accessible experience for participants joining remotely.
Travel and Accommodation
Several hotels near Dubai World Trade Centre (the main conference venue) offer eco-friendly accommodations with green initiatives. Please visit the Plan your trip page on the conference’s website for more information.
Visa requirements vary by nationality; consult UAE official visa resources or embassies. Airlines like Emirates also offer visa services. Alternatively, please visit the Plan your trip page on the conference’s website for more information and guidelines. If required, the visa invitation letter is issued upon request through the registration process.
Yes; options include Dubai Metro, taxis, ride-hailing services, and free shuttle buses to key locations.
Dubai World Trade Centre is around 12 km from Dubai International Airport, constituting a 15- to 25-minute car ride.
Several hotels near the Dubai World Trade Centre offer shuttle services to the conference venue, providing attendees with convenient transportation. These services typically include transfers between the hotel, the nearest metro stations, and the airport, ensuring easy access to the venue. It’s recommended that you check directly with the hotel to confirm the availability and details of shuttle services during the conference period.
ICOM Dubai 2025 has partnered with several hotels near the conference venue, offering special rates to visitors. Attendees can book directly with hotels; please visit the Plan your trip page on the conference’s website for more information. November is considered a high season, so we recommend that you book your accommodation as early as possible.
Other Practical Information
Visit the official conference website (https://dubai2025.icom.museum/), follow social media channels:
and sign up to ICOM’s newsletters:
- https://icom.museum/en/ (at the bottom of the home page)
- https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/icom-bimonthly-newsletter-7244293507169816577/
In the event of a medical emergency, Dubai World Trade Centre has a certified Emergency Medical Services team located on-site (Concourse 2, between Halls 4 and 5, near the Information Desk by Exhibition Gate).
