The 27th ICOM General Conference 2025 will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in Dubai from 11 to 13 November 2025, bringing together museum professionals, cultural leaders and institutional stakeholders from around the globe. According to information compiled by Few.ae editor the event is organised by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and marks a significant moment as the first time the conference is held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Venue details and facilities
The venue for this major event is the DWTC, a landmark complex in Dubai’s Trade Centre district that has grown over decades into a world-class exhibition and conference venue. The programme of the conference will occupy several key venues within the DWTC: Al Multaqua Ballroom, Hall 6–8, The Pavilion, Sheikh Maktoum Hall, and Sheikh Rashid Hall.
For example, The Pavilion (Halls 6-8) boasts a ceiling height of 9 m, two goods‐entrance doors, dynamic lighting panels with up to 400 colour choices, a maximum floor load of 2,000 kg/m² and substantial power capacity (4×250 amps) along with full rigging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Sheikh Maktoum Hall offers a flexible registration area, multi-purpose space, ceiling height of 7 m, rigging capacity of 250 kg × 5 m span, maximum floor load of 5,000 kg/m² and power supply of 600×600 amps. These technical details underscore the DWTC’s readiness to host such a hybrid, large-scale international conference.
Location and access
The DWTC is located along Sheikh Zayed Road and is directly served by the World Trade Centre Metro Station on Dubai’s Red Line, making it easy to access from major nodes including Dubai International Airport (DXB) and the city’s main hotels and business hubs. For participants arriving by car or taxi, there are multiple drop-off points around the campus, onsite valet and large car parks to facilitate smooth entry.
Timing, theme and programming
The official time and date for the conference are listed as 11-13 November 2025 by DWTC’s events page. However, the ICOM tripartite announcement lists 11-17 November 2025 for the broader general conference cycle including excursions and side activities. The theme of the conference is “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, featuring three sub-themes: intangible heritage, youth power and new technologies. The programme includes panels, interactive sessions, lecture-performances, masterclasses and workshops designed to engage attendees in the challenges and opportunities facing museums today.
Weather and local context for participants
For travellers arriving in Dubai in early November, the weather is typically sunny and dry, with daytime highs around 31 °C (88 °F) and evening lows around 20 °C (68 °F). While the conference halls are climate-controlled, it is advisable to dress comfortably and layer appropriately for indoor air-conditioned spaces.
Organiser and significance
Organised by ICOM, the global organisation representing museum professionals, the conference is a flagship triennial event which brings together thousands of delegates from national committees, international museum institutions and cultural organisations. The choice of Dubai as host city is historic: this will be the first time ICOM’s General Conference is held in the MEASA region, signalling growing cultural prominence of the region. The organising committee is chaired by the Director General of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and the conference has embraced a hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual participation.
Why this matters
For museum professionals, cultural managers, educators and policy-makers, this event presents a key opportunity to exchange knowledge on how institutions adapt to rapidly evolving communities, social and technological change. For Dubai and the broader region, hosting the event enhances visibility and underscores the role of the UAE as a cultural hub. According to information compiled by Few.ae editor the gathering is expected to foster regional and international collaboration, highlight youth engagement, and showcase emerging digital museum practices.
Attendees should plan for early registration, secure accommodation in proximity to DWTC and consider travel logistics to ensure punctual arrival on Day 1. With state-of-the-art technical infrastructure at the venue and a well-connected location, the environment promises to support dynamic sessions, exhibitions and networking opportunities.
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