“The conversation that begins here in Dubai will influence how museums engage with the world for years to come.”
The opening remarks by Emma Nardi, president of the International Council of Museums, during the launch of ICOM Dubai 2025 reflected the enthusiasm in Sheikh Rashid Hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Hundreds of cultural delegates from across the world sat shoulder to shoulder, some donning interpreter headsets, nodding as Nardi’s words echoed across the hall.
“Museums have no borders, they are a network,” she said, setting the tone for the five days of dialogue ahead on how museums will adapt in a changing world.
“As we open this important edition, I invite you all to reflect on how museums can lead in times of transformation, how we can connect communities, protect heritage and nurture understanding across cultures.”
ICOM Dubai 2025 marks the first time the influential conference is taking place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. The event, running until November 17, is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Its theme is the Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.
“Museums are not merely guardians of the past or keepers of history, but a living archive that prepares the future,” Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairwoman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said in her keynote speech.
“This gathering is not merely a historic event. It is the embodiment of a shared vision that believes in the role of culture in building humanity’s future,” Sheikha Latifa said.
“This day is an encounter between many worlds. Each of us comes carrying our own story, our community’s tales, our culture, our heritage and our museums. Over the coming days, Dubai will present a multi-material mosaic – a bridge linking creativity, visions and cultures.”
Sheikha Latifa said that with the conference taking place in Dubai, the region’s rich cultural heritage and ongoing contributions to creativity will be in the spotlight.
“We are not alone in this celebration. Across the Arab world, people share the pride we feel today,” she said. “These moments do not belong to one city alone. They represent a collective identity and a shared civilisation. From the wisdom of Baghdad to the poetry of Damascus, from the knowledge and intellect of Cairo to the innovation and leadership of Dubai, this region has seen the birth of the first libraries, the first universities and the first visions for humanity.
“Hosting this conference in Dubai is our way of telling the world that the story of culture is written every day, and we are proud to be the ones continuing it.”
Sheikha Latifa then delved into three interconnected themes at the centre of the conference. Intangible heritage, new technologies and youth engagement, she said, are pivotal for global institutions looking to make an impact.
“Intangible cultural heritage remind us that culture is not only what we own, but also what we carry and pass on, from the poetry in our language to the customs that shape our identity and roots. The power of youth urges us to listen to the next generation as true partners in building the museums and communities of tomorrow. Modern technologies, meanwhile, open new horizons for innovation, deepening our connection to history. Technology can fuel research and discovery, but only when it is guided by humanity and responsibility.”
Some of these ambitions have already taken shape during the opening ceremony. Representatives of ICOM and Unesco announced they had signed a memorandum of understanding, advocating for a responsible use of artificial intelligence and making sure the technology is accessible by all segments of the population.
“We need to make sure it's really inclusive,” said Krista Pikkat, director of Culture and Emergencies at the Culture Sector at Unesco. “Any developments and benefits we can reap from AI and new technologies, we need to ensure we include everybody.
“There is a need for capacity building and training. Because if we see this as a means to improve access, it needs to be human-centred, human rightsbased. We need to make sure people have the skills and the knowledge,” Pikkat added. “We need to make sure AI is fed with information that depicts the world in all its diversity.”
RESULTS
Women:
55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2
Men:
62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke
More on animal trafficking
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Racecard
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The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
RESULTS
Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari
Bookshops: A Reader's History by Jorge Carrión (translated from the Spanish by Peter Bush),
Biblioasis
More on animal trafficking
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
The%20specs
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