The department joins a global elite of thought leaders and experts, including directors of international museums, architects, artists, museum curators, historians, academics, and young professionals, to contribute to shaping the future and enhancing cultural exchange locally and globally, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
In his opening speech, His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s firm belief in the power of museums to empower communities. He highlighted the emirate’s efforts in building an integrated museum system that enhances belonging, provides diverse opportunities, and invigorates the cultural scene.
He stressed the role of museums as catalysts for societal transformation, youth empowerment, and the enhancement of global cultural discourse. The pavilion is designed as an interactive space based on storytelling, taking visitors on a journey from heritage preservation to innovation, embodying the department’s slogan “Where Heritage Meets Innovation,” aligning with the conference themes on modern technologies and the future of museums.
The department, through the culture sector, organizes a series of side panel discussions addressing the relationship between natural and cultural heritage, designing child-focused exhibitions, and the role of arts in Arab cities, with contributions from experts from the Natural History Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
In the exhibition theater, the culture sector hosts interactive sessions focusing on innovation in education, creativity, and heritage. Highlights include the Guggenheim Youth Program titled “If the Museum Listened, What Would We Say to It?”, youth perspectives via the museum’s digital platform, the DCTLEARN program for talent empowerment, and the ICH.ae platform for reviving intangible heritage for school students, alongside the “Discover Al Ain Museum” tour.
These initiatives reflect the department’s commitment to supporting youth engagement, talent development, and enhancing appreciation of cultural heritage. As a major partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi solidifies its status as a global leader in the cultural landscape, affirming its commitment to heritage protection and leveraging technology and innovation for a brighter future.
The opening ceremony was held under the dome of Al Wasl Plaza in Expo Dubai City—the world’s largest interactive display dome—and featured a twenty-minute inspiring theatrical musical performance consisting of four artistic scenes. It depicted the story of the origin on the banks of the creek, narrated creatively and interactively, employing 2D and 3D technologies, and presented live performances and musical pieces that took the audience on an impactful journey through the emirate’s history from its founding on the creek banks in 1833 to its transformation into a global cultural center.
