The International Council of Museums (Icom) has announced a new joint operational initiative with the international police organisation Interpol to combat the theft and illicit movement of cultural property.
The initiative aims to “target museums worldwide, supporting them in strengthening their security systems and reinforcing collective efforts to prevent the theft and illicit movement of cultural goods”.
It was announced during Icom’s 27th conference, which was held on 11-17 November in Dubai, UAE, under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”.
The conference acknowledged that “recent incidents of theft in museums have deeply shocked both the museum community and the wider public”. Delegates agreed to strengthen global action against illicit trafficking of cultural property, with a priority on the development of new digital tools.
“Icom remains fully committed to advancing strategies and operational measures aimed at protecting cultural property and combating illicit trafficking,” said Medea S Ekner, Icom’s director general.
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“A key priority is the development and deployment of digital tools that enhance prevention, monitoring, and response capacities for museums and cultural institutions worldwide.”
In a statement, Icom said: “This initiative intends to target museums worldwide, supporting them in strengthening their security systems and reinforcing collective efforts to prevent the theft and illicit movement of cultural goods.”
According to Icom's summary of its Dubai conference, the Interpol initiative is one of a “series of major outcomes that will guide Icom’s work in the coming years”.
Other outcomes include the announcement of a new global initiative with Unesco on Artificial Intelligence and Museums, reflecting the two organisations’ “shared commitment to ensuring that AI technologies support museums ethically, inclusively and sustainably”.
The initiative will focus on mapping and connecting global AI initiatives within the museum sector; promoting ethical guidance aligned with existing ethical recommendations on AI; and building professional capacity through dialogue, peer learning, policy guidance and practical resources.
The conference also hosted a discussion on the latest stage of Icom’s ongoing revision of its Code of Ethics. The revision is intended to respond to evolving professional values and global challenges.
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“This dialogue reaffirmed that the code is a living document shaped by the collective expertise and shared ethical responsibilities of the global museum community,” said Icom.
The conference saw Antonio Rodríguez of the United States elected as Icom’s president. Rodriguez is a senior advisor and museum consultant, and the former CEO of the Inter-American Culture & Development Foundation.
He will join the rest of the Icom executive board members elected for the term 2025-28.
It was confirmed that Rotterdam in the Netherlands would be the host city for the next Icom conference in 2028.
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The city’s winning bid centres on the theme “Building Bridges. Connecting Worlds, Cultures, and Generations”.
Caroline Breunesse, the chair of Icom Netherlands, said: “Icom Netherlands is very proud to host the General Conference in 2028. We are ready to welcome our colleagues from all over the world in the city of Rotterdam: a city full of diversity, history, innovative museums and … bridges!
“We feel museums are platforms to connect, to build bridges between worlds, cultures and generations. We look forward to welcoming you in Rotterdam in 2028.”
Icom has also announced a new publication called Museum Definition Handbook: Words Inspiring Action.
The handbook addresses and analyses each term that appears within Icom's 2022 museum definition, building on reflections surrounding the meanings and significances that emerged during the participatory process of producing the definition.
Icom says the handbook will offer “deeper insights and guidance on implementing these concepts in museum work”.
