ICOM UK hosted its 2026 annual conference in Oxford, bringing together delegates from over 20 countries to explore the theme of 'Museum Diplomacy.' Keynote speaker Dr. Sascha Priewe of the Aga Khan Museum and ICOM Canada framed the current geopolitical moment as a 'GZERO World,' where no country is willing or able to lead globally, and discussed how sanctions, export controls, and shifting alliances are straining international museum collaborations. Sessions featured case studies from the Science Museum Group and International Arts & Artists, emphasizing that trust and networks, not grand gestures, are essential for enduring partnerships.
This conference matters because it addresses a critical and timely question: how museums can operate and maintain international cooperation when democratic frameworks and global leadership are eroding. As soft power and free trade—which once enabled the exchange of objects, expertise, and funding—come under pressure from geopolitical disruptions like US tariff policies and withdrawal from alliances, the museum sector must rethink its strategies. The discussions highlight a shift from state-led diplomacy to network-based collaboration, offering practical frameworks for museums to navigate an increasingly fragmented world order.