November 11–17, 2025
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Registration for the ICOM General Conference 2025 is officially open!
From November 11 to 17, 2025, museum professionals and cultural leaders from across the globe will gather in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the flagship event of the international museum community.
Held every three years, the ICOM General Conference brings together thousands of museum professionals to shape the future of museums through dialogue, exchange, and collaboration.
Whether you’re a curator, educator, conservator, researcher, policymaker, or simply passionate about cultural heritage, ICOM Dubai 2025 invites you to take part in this unique moment of connection, reflection, and dialogue.
A global gathering around a shared vision
This year’s conference theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will explore the role of museums in addressing contemporary challenges and seizing new opportunities for transformation. The ICOM General Conference 2025 offers a rich and diverse programme that will include globally renowned speakers, committee-led sessions, networking events, and cultural experiences across Dubai and the wider region. The theme will be explored through three key underthemes: Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies, each offering a distinct lens for shaping the future of museums.
Ready to join us?
Participants can now register to attend the conference in person and benefit from the early bird pricing, available until 30 August 2025.
Register now and join us for ICOM Dubai 2025.
Explore more on the official ICOM Dubai 2025 website.
Call for papers
ICOM is also excited to present the Call for Papers for ICOM Dubai 2025. The upcoming conference will offer a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to address how museums can innovate and adapt in the face of global change. Each ICOM International Committee will host its own sessions, culminating in a dedicated International Committees Day. These sessions are rich opportunities for knowledge exchange, practical dialogue, and future-focused insights. Find all submission details and session topics on the official Call for Papers page.
About the International Council of Museums (ICOM)
The International Council of Museums 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.
ICOM is a membership association and a non-governmental organisation which establishes professional and ethical standards for museum activities. As a forum of experts, it 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 connects more than 53,000 museum professionals across 129 countries, through 120 National Committees, 34 International Committees, 8 Regional Alliances, and 21 Affiliated Organisations. ICOM is the only global organisation in the museum field.
Press contact
Christian Kraugerud Søberg, Head of Communications and Public Relations, ICOM—International Council of Museums: communication@icom.museum
