DUBAI: H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), recently met with members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Executive Board. The meeting, held at the Etihad Museum, included ICOM President Dr. Emma Nardi, ICOM Director General Medea S. Ekner, and the ICOM Secretariat, along with ICOM UAE Chair Nasir Al Darmaki, during the ICOM 2024 International Symposium in Dubai.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Latifa emphasized Dubai’s commitment to supporting ICOM’s mission, highlighting the city’s honor in partnering with ICOM to bolster museums as key custodians of cultural heritage. She stated, “Dubai is deeply honoured to partner with ICOM in supporting museums as vital custodians of our collective cultural heritage; our shared vision is to strengthen the role of museums, not only as spaces of preservation but as dynamic centres for cultural exchange, knowledge, and innovation.”
Sheikha Latifa further elabora
ted on Dubai’s forthcoming role as the host city for the 27th ICOM General Conference in 2025, marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions. This reflects Dubai’s emerging status as a global cultural hub. She reassured that the upcoming conference would significantly enrich the museum sector both locally and globally, aligning with Dubai Culture’s dedication to promoting heritage, creativity, and international connectivity.
Additionally, Sheikha Latifa outlined Dubai’s aspirations for a long-term partnership with ICOM beyond the 2025 conference. This includes initiatives such as regional best practices in museums, cultural exchange programs, youth training initiatives, and capacity-building projects. The 2025 ICOM General Conference in Dubai is anticipated to draw over 4,000 museum specialists and experts from around the world.
ICOM, a key institution in the cultural sector, boasts over 53,000 members from 130 countries, representing more than 20,000
museums globally. The UAE’s successful bid to host the 2025 conference was a collaborative effort by ICOM-UAE, Dubai Culture, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.