Save the Date: 2025 – What Do Museums Born at the Dawn of the Second Quarter of the 21st Century Look Like?

International conference by ICOM Europe / ICOFOM / ICOM France / Louvre Abu Dhabi / France Muséums
📅 Louvre Abu Dhabi – November 10, 2025

In November 2025, ICOM – International Council of Museums will hold its 27th General Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”

At the dawn of the second quarter of the 21st century, the global museum landscape is transforming rapidly. Across the world, new museums are opening amid profound change — climate and health crises, social and geopolitical conflicts, and accelerating technological shifts. In this context, museums are called to be active contributors to sustainable development and to promote shared cultural and civic awareness.

As some of the world’s most trusted institutions, museums carry the responsibility to provide access to authentic histories of the past and present and to foster understanding of global issues. These reflections build on ICOM’s recent efforts to redefine the museum and to update its Code of Ethics — a pivotal step for the organization as it reaffirms its unity and leadership in a transforming world.

Within this framework, ICOM Europe aims to dedicate a special event during the General Conference to identify and compare professional approaches across regions. ICOFOM proposes to extend the discussion to include the distinctiveness of emerging museums, both in Europe and worldwide.

Hosting this conference at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with ICOM France and France Muséums, is especially meaningful: the museum stands as a bridge between cultures, fostering dialogue and innovation.

Programme

The international conference will be structured in two sessions:

• Morning session: Presentations of new museums from around the world and their defining characteristics.

• Afternoon session: A cross-cutting round table uniting museum directors and researchers to interpret and discuss the transformations shaping museums in 2025 and beyond.

📍 Venue: Louvre Abu Dhabi Auditorium & Online
🕓 Date: November 10, 2025 – Full-day conference
🔗 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/ICOMEuropeRegistration