In conjunction 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”,  the 51st ICAMT International Conference also took place.

The ICAMT conference was organized around three sub-themes aligned with the ICOM Conference focus – Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies – and featured a total of 21 panels with presenters from 13 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The participants enriched the event with valuable insights drawn from their research and professional experience.

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Session A – held on November 12, 2025
Sub-theme  – Designing for the Invisible: Architecture, Design and Digital Strategies for Showcasing Intangible Heritage 

This session, moderated by Nana Meparishvili, ICAMT Chair, explored the vital role of museum architecture and techniques in presenting intangible heritage. It examined how spaces can be shaped to foster creativity, learning, and participation, encouraging engagement with cultural narratives, history, and contemporary issues. It also focused on innovative case studies that are adapted to diverse audiences, showcasing how museum buildings and exhibition design create dynamic spaces for engaging with intangible heritage, enhancing accessibility, impact and making cultural traditions more relatable.

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Session B – held on November 12, 2025
Sub-theme  – Museum Architecture and Techniques and New Technologies

Museums are increasingly leveraging digital formats to present tangible and intangible heritage. This session, moderated by Danusa Castro, ICAMT vice Chair,  explored how emerging technologies are reshaping museum architecture and exhibition design (flexible spaces, interactive exhibits, use of new technologies) with a special focus on the empowerment of audiences. It examined how digital tools, interactive design, and immersive experiences can safeguard heritage while making it more accessible and engaging, especially for younger audiences. Additionally, the session addressed the evolving relationship between physical and virtual museum spaces, immersive and interactive exhibitions, combined with material choices, that promote a deeper emotional connection to cultural practices and histories. 

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Session C – held on November 13, 2025
A  joint collaboration between ICAMT and the newly established ICOM Storage Committee, focused on  – Architecture and Museum Techniques of Museum Storage.

Museum storage facilities play a crucial role in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. This session, moderated by François Mairesse, Chair of the Working Group on Collections in Storage, now transformed into ICOM STORAGE under the chairmanship of Hélène Vassal, aimed to explore and share best practices on the latest innovations in museum storage design, focusing on the intersection of architecture, preservation, and technical advancements. The papers addressed sustainable design practices, adaptive reuse of facilities, climate control solutions, space optimisation, and the integration of new technologies in collection management. Through this session, we discussed how thoughtful architectural solutions and innovative techniques can enhance the safety, accessibility, and longevity of museum collections worldwide.

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ICAMT IC Day in Abu Dhabi

As a practical complement to the ICAMT Conference presentations, on November 15 ICAMT organized its IC Day, thanks to the cooperation of two museums located in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi.

The aim of IC Day was to visit the new Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, where participants were able to witness the museum’s final preparations before its public opening on November 22. It was a great opportunity to see not only the beautiful building firsthand, but also the interior design of the exhibitions and some objects from the collections being installed during the visit.

On the same day, and in alignment with ICAMT Conference Session C, participants also had the opportunity to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s storage facilities, in addition to its exhibitions. This visit provided a unique opportunity to witness excellence not only in architectural design but also in the museum’s advanced practices, at a museum celebrating its 8th anniversary.

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ICAMT and ICOM General Conference

Holding the ICAMT conference within the context of the ICOM General Conference in Dubai, a historic event that brought together over 4500 museum professionals, was a great success.

Participation in key events, such as the election of the new ICOM President, Antonio Rodríguez, and his board, which ICAMT Chair Nana Meparishvili was elected Spokesperson of the International Committees for the 2025-2028 term, demonstrates the renewed engagement of museum professionals within ICOM and its International Committees.

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In addition, the announcement of the first ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums was made, with the Barbados Museum & Historical Society recognized for projects combining social inclusion, sustainability, youth engagement, and climate action.

Looking ahead, the next ICOM General Conference will be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2028,
where the new strategic plan for 2028-2034 will be presented and adopted.

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Here are some outcomes from the 51st Annual Conference of ICAMT

(to be publishes in 2026)

A Daily Photo Gallery 

Session A – November 12, 2025
Session B – November 12, 2025
Session C – November 13, 2025
IC Day – November 15, 2025