In a significant milestone, Dubai is set to host the ICOM General Conference from November 11 to 17, 2025.
This event, organized by the International Council of Museums, is the largest gathering of museum professionals worldwide and marks the first time it will be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.
With thousands of cultural leaders and experts expected to attend, the conference’s theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” directly positions the UAE at the forefront of global conversations on cultural preservation, adaptation, and innovation.
This high-profile event is part of a broader, long-term cultural policy that has been years in the making. Just months before the conference, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to the “Kings and Queens of Africa,” showcasing over 300 pieces and highlighting the nation’s increasing cultural focus on the African continent.
Abu Dhabi’s unprecedented cultural core
At the heart of the UAE’s cultural transformation is Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, a 270-hectare cultural district designed to become a rival to the world’s most renowned cultural centers. The island is a powerful symbol of the nation’s soft power strategy, aiming to attract not only tourists but also investors and political partners.
The district’s flagship institution, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, has already welcomed nearly six million visitors since its 2017 opening. Its unique “museography” connects civilizations through a shared story of humanity, housed under an iconic, perforated dome designed by architect Jean Nouvel.
The island’s cultural density is set to explode by late 2025 and early 2026 with the opening of several major new museums: This museum, designed by Foster + Partners, will celebrate the rich history and heritage of the Emirates and the legacy of its founder. Designed by Frank Gehry, this museum will become the largest of the Guggenheim family and will feature a collection of modern and contemporary art with a special focus on West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia. This institution will tell the 13.8 billion-year story of the universe and will house a number of unique and valuable specimens, including the complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex named Stan, acquired for over $30 million.
These new institutions, along with existing sites like the Manarat Al Saadiyat and the Abrahamic Family House interfaith complex, will create an unparalleled cultural experience in a single location.
A gateway to Africa
The UAE’s cultural ambitions are increasingly intertwined with its relationship with Africa. The nation’s geographic and historical proximity makes it a natural partner, and a strategic market for tourism and cultural exchange. With more than 750,000 African visitors per year already visiting the Emirates, facilitated by extensive air travel links and simplified visa processes, the country is actively building on these connections.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exhibition on African royalty, featuring collaborations with African curators and pieces from prestigious institutions like the Musée du Quai Branly, is a prime example of this deliberate strategy. It offers African visitors a new perspective on their heritage, presented by a regional partner rather than through a Western-centric lens. This approach strengthens diplomatic ties while catering to a rapidly growing African audience, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to being a crossroads for culture between East, West, and Africa.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA