Latifa Bint Mohammed Inaugurates 'ICOM 2024 International Symposium'
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), today inaugurated the ‘ICOM 2024 International Symposium’ at the Etihad Museum. Organised by Dubai Culture in collaboration with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) UAE, the Symposium forms an integral part of the preparations for the 27th ICOM General Conference: ICOM Dubai 2025, which the city will host for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.’, the milestone event reinforces Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The Symposium’s sessions explored three sub-themes, including safeguarding intangible heritage, empowering youth, and harnessing new technologies. Discussions centred on navigating rapid global changes, providing a remarkable platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing among ICOM’s international committees and a diverse group of museum experts from local and international communities.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Culture has been a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s journey, establishing it as a vibrant hub for talent and a leading centre for global dialogue on the future of the museum sector. Dubai’s hosting of the ‘ICOM 2024 International Symposium’ is a landmark achievement that reflects the emirate’s cultural identity, ambition, and commitment to cultural leadership on the global stage.”
“The ‘ICOM 2024 International Symposium’ marks the start of a significant journey that will culminate in November 2025 with a landmark gathering of over 4,000 museum specialists and experts from across the globe. The event will provide a unique platform for in-depth dialogue and constructive partnerships, allowing us to explore innovative approaches to the transformations impacting our societies and the future of museums. Museums are integral to Dubai’s unique identity, serving as pillars of civilisation, hubs of knowledge and innovation, guardians of heritage, and gateways to the future. They provide spaces for learning, inspiration, and meaningful exchange, bridging generations and strengthening bonds within our diverse communities,” Her Highness said.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa also highlighted the crucial importance of international collaboration in driving progress within the cultural sector, noting that change is constant and museums must adapt to global developments. “It is our responsibility to ensure that museums remain dynamic, culturally grounded spaces that evolve with the times while fostering a sense of belonging within the community.”
Her Highness also underpinned the need to embrace innovation and incorporate modern technologies to address contemporary social challenges, strengthen the role of museums in the cultural and creative landscape, and ensure they continue to inspire and educate future generations.
The event agenda featured a series of sessions and keynote speeches, offering enriching discussions and exchanges of ideas on preserving and exploring cultural identities. It also addressed key opportunities and challenges shaping the future of museums. The programme opened with remarks from His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, who noted that ICOM provides a vital platform connecting museum professionals, experts, and cultural leaders worldwide.
“Through this conference, we aim to foster dialogue, exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and envision the future of museums as connectors of communities to heritage, culture, and identity. Together, we will reimagine innovation in the museum sector and explore new technologies emerging from the digital transformation,” said HE Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi.
His Excellency affirmed the UAE’s commitment to enhancing the cultural landscape. “Museums are an essential part of community life, playing a vital role in preserving heritage and promoting cultural exchange,” he said. He aslo emphasised the importance of using museums to nurture unity, promote tolerance, and engage future generations.
Her Excellency Dr. Emma Nardi, President of ICOM, praised the commitment of ICOM members, highlighting the significance of the ICOM General Conference. She stated:“While each conference centres on museums, every event offers a unique experience shaped by global contexts and the perspectives of the host country. ICOM brings together museum professionals from 130 countries, creating an international network that inspires and strengthens the global museum community. Our members’ active participation in the General Conference reflects a dedication to broadening horizons, forming new networks, and understanding the evolving museum landscape.”
ICOM Director General Medea Ekner underscored that ICOM represents a global network of over 53,000 members from more than 130 countries. “We are the voice of museums worldwide, advocating for their critical role in society and their potential to drive positive change. Museums are spaces for reflection and action, addressing global challenges such as climate change and providing environments that help redefine history.”
His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of UAE University, inaugurated discussions on the theme of ‘Intangible Heritage.’ He emphasised the importance of intangible heritage in understanding Emirati culture and outlined key initiatives led by the UAE’s cultural sector. He remarked: “Intangible heritage captures the human essence that shapes cultural identity, enriching our understanding of the human experience and fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections. Defining intangible heritage is central to a nation’s cultural identity; it is embodied in behaviours and traditions practised within unique contexts, expressed through performances, practices, and crafts that convey profound knowledge and insights into both material and social realms.
The theme included a series of insightful dialogues with His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Almusallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and Alia Yunis, Visiting Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC, and Visiting Associate Professor of Film & Heritage Studies at NYUAD. Together, they examined the future of intangible heritage in the face of contemporary changes.
During the event, Edward Rodley, Co-Founder & Principal of The Experience Alchemists (TEA), led discussions on the theme of ‘New Technologies,’ underscoring the role of digital innovation in enhancing museum engagement and refining strategies for the digital era. This was followed by an insightful session titled ‘Natural Technologies,’ in which Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Education & Culture and Chief HR Officer for Expo City Dubai, explored the ancient concept of biomimicry in museums. Her session highlighted how ‘Terra – The World’s Living Wonder’ at Expo City Dubai employs nature-inspired design, enhancing functionality and the visitor experience through sustainable practices.
Dr. Simon Tanner, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage at King’s College London, discussed how museums can use digital tools to connect authentically with audiences. Pablo Guayasamín Madriñán, Programme Coordinator at UNESCO, introduced the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, launching in 2025, which will use 3D and VR to revive artefacts lost to illicit trafficking, highlighting their cultural significance.
Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Emirati columnist, researcher, and Founder of Barjeel Art Foundation, introduced the theme ‘Youth Power,’ highlighting the significant role of youth in driving innovation and reshaping museums on a global scale. Meanwhile, curator Munira Al Sayegh, Founder of Dirwaza Curatorial Lab, highlighted exhibition-making as a practice deeply influenced by place and language during her session. Artist and curator Osemudiamen Ekore, Co-Founder of Bootleg Griot, further explored how museums can adopt media platform strategies to engage younger audiences.
Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, and Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee, closed the Scientific Congress by reflecting on the collective commitment of museums to creating a thriving platform for dialogue in this region and beyond.
The ICOM 2024 International Symposium also offered attendees a unique capacity-building and training programme designed by ICOM International Committees. Tailored specifically for the Symposium, the programme facilitated engaging exchanges between ICOM experts and local museum professionals through interactive sessions. The training covered topics at the forefront of museum agendas, including safeguarding intangible heritage and the pivotal role of communities in promoting it; emergency planning for museums, encompassing preparedness, response, and recovery, as well as practical approaches to collection documentation and information management to support efficient operations and robust collections management.
ICOM, established in 1946 under the United Nations, is a leading global organisation dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing museums and the museum profession. ICOM is a cornerstone institution in the cultural sector, with over 50,000 members across 120 countries representing nearly 20,000 museums. In 2021, ICOM-UAE, in partnership with Dubai Culture, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, submitted the UAE’s bid to host the ICOM General Conference 2025 in Dubai. Recognising the UAE’s esteemed global standing, prominent role in heritage preservation, and commitment to a creative economy, ICOM selected Dubai to host this prestigious conference from a list of competing cities.
