November 15, 2025
ICOM Dubai 2025 General Conference – Recap Conference
In connection with the 27th ICOM General Conference 2025, held in Dubai from November 11 to 17 under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” a dedicated session on museum storage was also organized
Session C –13 November 2025
Session C, held on November 13, 2025, was the result of a joint collaboration between ICAMT and the newly established ICOM STORAGE Committee.
The session focused on “Architecture and Museum Techniques for Storage Facilities.”
Museum storage spaces are essential to the safeguarding and long-term preservation of cultural heritage. Moderated by François Mairesse, Chair of the former Working Group on Collections in Storage, now officially established as ICOM STORAGE under the leadership of Hélène Vassal, the session provided a platform to exchange knowledge and highlight innovative approaches in the design and management of museum storage.
Presentations explored sustainable design strategies, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, advanced climate control systems, space optimization, and the integration of new technologies in collections management. The session emphasized how carefully considered architectural planning, combined with technical innovation, can significantly improve the protection, accessibility, and longevity of museum collections worldwide.
ICAMT IC Day in Abu Dhabi
As a practical extension of the International Committee for Architecture and Museum Techniques -ICAMT Conference program, ICAMT organized its IC Day on the 15 November, in collaboration with two museums located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District.
The program included a visit to the new Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, offering participants a unique opportunity to observe the museum in its final stages of preparation ahead of its public opening on the 22nd of November. Attendees were able to experience the building’s striking architecture, explore the exhibition design, and witness the installation of selected collection objects.
In alignment with the themes of Session C, participants also visited the storage facilities of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in addition to touring its galleries. This visit offered valuable insight into both the museum’s architectural excellence and its advanced storage and collection management practices, at an institution that recently celebrated its eighth anniversary.
ICOM General Conference
The 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai was a landmark event that brought together more than 4,500 museum professionals from around the world.
Participants had the opportunity to take part in key moments of the General Conference, including the election of the new ICOM President, Antonio Rodríguez, and the appointment of the new Executive Board. The conference also marked the official establishment of the ICOM STORAGE Committee and the election of its board members for the 2025–2028 term.
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Another important highlight was the announcement of the first ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums. The Barbados Museum & Historical Society received the award in recognition of its outstanding initiatives integrating social inclusion, sustainability, youth engagement, and climate action.
Looking ahead, the next ICOM General Conference will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2028. On that occasion, ICOM’s new Strategic Plan for 2028–2034 will be presented and formally adopted.
Conference Proceedings (link is coming)