Abu Dhabi, UAE – April 27, 2025: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) kicks off the seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi today, the leading global forum dedicated to culture, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration. Taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 27 – 29 April 2025, the summit brings together thought leaders, artists, policymakers, and innovators from around the world for three days of impactful dialogue and exchange.
The theme of the seventh edition, Culture for Humanity and Beyond will navigate the ever-dynamic relationship between culture and humanity in a period of transformation. Across the three days, the Summit will see attendees exchange new perspectives on reimagining the future, as traditional thinking gives way to newer approaches.
Cultural figures and former ministers will engage in ministerial dialogues and sessions surrounding culture and global policy. These sessions will feature Jenny Shipley, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Iveta Radičová, Former Prime Minister of Slovakia. Other sessions, including panel discussions, case studies, and creative conversations will feature academics, authors, founders and directors such as Mo Gawdat, Author and Former Chief Business Officer at Google X; Glenn Lowry, The David Rockefeller Director, The Museum of Modern Art; Tim Marlow, Chief Executive and Director of the Design Museum in London, Awan Amkpa, Dean of Arts and Humanities at New York University Abu Dhabi, Thomas Heatherwick, Founder and Design Director, Heatherwick Studio; Sir John Akomfrah, Film Director – Smoking Dogs Films; Maja Hoffman, Founder and Executive President at Luma Foundation and LumaArles; Hashim Sarkis, Dean at Massachusetts Institute for Technology; Colleen Atwood, Costume Designer; Susan Buck-Morss, Distinguished Professor – CUNY Graduate Centre and Cornell University; Sir William Sargent, Chair at Framestore; Professor Iyad Rahwan, Professor and Director, Max Planck Institute for Human Development; Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator – Zeitz MOCAA and many more.
Three sub-themes will be explored in depth across the Summit’s duration. Day one will tap into the power shifts in today’s world, from the digital revolution to volatile geopolitical landscapes, and how these shifts are reshaping the cultural landscape. Day two will examine how culture and the creative ecosystem are adapting its policies and models to fully leverage these new possibilities. The final day will present a range of innovative solutions that could redefine new frameworks for the culture sector and humanity on a broader scale.
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi is an annual global forum that brings together international leaders from the cultural and creative industries to explore ways in which culture can transform societies and communities worldwide.
Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the event’s key global partners include UNESCO, The Economist Impact, the Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and Recording Academy. Additional partners include Image Nation Abu Dhabi, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, Cultural Foundation, The National, the Club de Madrid, the Abrahamic Family House, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Institut Français, Institut du Monde Arabe, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, TeamLab, Maktaba, House of Artisans, and Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute.
The Summit reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving, protecting, and promoting Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage while fostering creativity and innovation to build a more inclusive and sustainable global cultural future.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
