From desert sands to museum halls: The 27th ICOM General Conference is coming to Dubai, marking a historic first in the Middle East. From November 11–17, 2025, over 4,000 museum professionals will gather to shape the future of museums in fast-changing societies. Registration is now open – and excitement is rising like the Burj Khalifa at dawn.
The morning light spills over the golden dunes and glass towers of Dubai. In the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, a different kind of skyline is forming – one made of ideas, culture, and global dialogue. For the first time ever, the ICOM General Conference will take place in the Middle East. Destination: Dubai, 2025.
From November 11 to 17, the Dubai World Trade Centre will transform into a hub for global museum exchange. Under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, over 4,000 professionals from 130+ countries will meet to discuss, debate, and reimagine the role of museums in a shifting world.
“It’s more than a conference – it’s a turning point,” says Fatima, a museum director from Casablanca. “Dubai is putting the region on the cultural map like never before.”
Dubai is not just hosting but leading. With groundbreaking institutions like the Museum of the Future and the Etihad Museum, the city is staking its claim as a serious cultural player on the world stage.
Major international events like ICOM 2025 offer more than cultural prestige – they drive economic momentum. Thousands of attendees mean increased demand for hotels, short-term rentals, and flexible office spaces. Real estate professionals are already seeing interest spike around the conference venue. For investors, it’s a chance to tap into Dubai’s growing cultural economy.
