ICOM Dubai 2025 organising committee offers delegates cultural tours of the UAE
The organising committee of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and hosted for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, organised a series of local and regional cultural tours, as part of the conference’s agenda, offering registered delegates a curated window into the rich cultural, natural, and creative landscapes of the UAE and the wider region.
The Local Social Programme featured immersive day trips across all seven emirates, offering unique experiences that showcase the UAE’s diversity of attractions, ranging from traditional souks and archaeological sites to modern museums, ecological landmarks, and creative hubs. Each itinerary was designed to reflect the host emirate’s identity through themes of heritage, innovation, art, nature, architecture, and cultural dialogue.
Tour highlights included visits to museums, archaeological landscapes and creative districts across the UAE, such as Al Ain Oasis and Al Jahili Fort (Al Ain); Mleiha Archaeological Centre and Heritage Museum (Sharjah); Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan (Abu Dhabi); Dhayah Fort and National Museum (Ras Al Khaimah); Museum of the Future, Etihad Museum, and Al Shindagha Museum (Dubai); Ajman Museum; and the Tell-Abraq and Ed-Dour sites (Umm Al Quwain).
In parallel, the Regional Excursions Programme gave delegates the option to extend their ICOM journey through multi-day tours to neighbouring destinations, including Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. These experiences, developed in collaboration with regional partners, provide a deeper understanding of museum ecosystems across the region and their shared commitment to preservation, sustainability, and storytelling.
These off-site excursions reflect ICOM’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange beyond the conference venue, amplifying the UAE’s role as a regional cultural hub and a host that bridges global heritage narratives with local authenticity.
