From 12th to 16th November, Amman Deputy Director, Fatma Marii, participated in the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai . Hosted for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, this triennial international conference brought together thousands of museum professionals under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”. ICOM, the International Council of Museums, organises its General Conference as a forum for exchanging ideas on challenges faced by museums, exploring innovative solutions, promoting international cooperation, and inspiring local initiatives that support museums in fulfilling their public service to society.
Over 4,500 museum professionals, cultural leaders, and policymakers from across the globe convened in Dubai, transforming the emirate into a dynamic international hub for cultural dialogue and collaboration, with the aim of harnessing opportunities to shape the future collectively. Throughout the week-long conference, delegates participated in more than 100 panel discussions, workshops, and forums, exploring how museums can innovate and better serve their communities amid rapid societal changes. Simultaneously, an International Museum Fair was organised, providing a platform for suppliers and museum specialists to showcase their latest projects and products. The primary objective was to foster collaboration in the preservation, sharing, and exploration of cultural identities, thereby strengthening the role of museums as vital pillars of society and catalysts for development.
The conference provided a platform for networking with museum specialists from across the globe. It typically serves as the most suitable occasion for ICOM’s national and regional committees to convene, elect new committees for the forthcoming years, and discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered in their daily work, as well as potential avenues for future collaboration. During the event, the ICOM National Jordanian Committee and the ICOM Arab Committee held meetings to elect new committees and to address recent developments in the region and their implications for museums.
At the International Committee’s Day. Fatma participated in the ICOM Conservation Committee meeting held at the ICCROM Sharjah Centre and the Sharjah Archaeological Museum. These included discussions on museum collection conservation, restoration, and preservation, and presentations on the latest global developments in safeguarding movable heritage.
Thousands of participants also engaged in curated excursions across all seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, immersing themselves in the nation’s rich heritage and museum landscape. These excursions afforded attendees the opportunity to explore a diverse array of museums, each presenting distinctive narratives and innovative displays, and offering deeper cultural and social insights for all participants.
The event provided an opportunity to meet, discuss, share professional experiences, exchange ideas, and plan future initiatives. The conference illustrated that, within swiftly evolving communities, the world is prepared and resourced to support the future of museums. Each participant left with a valuable experience from ICOM’s 27th General Conference, infused with a distinct Dubaian flavour, and with a renewed enthusiasm for advancing museums—and looking forward to the next ICOM 28th General Conference in Rotterdam in 2028.
