Msheireb Museums is establishing itself as a key platform for dialogue on critical global issues, taking a central role in raising climate awareness and civic responsibility across Qatar, general manager Abdulla al-Naama has said.

Speaking to Gulf Times at the 'Doha Climate Talks: Climate Diplomacy in Action' conference on Sunday, al-Naama highlighted the vital role contemporary cultural institutions must play in addressing pressing global concerns such as climate change.

“For us, in Msheireb Museums... we always try to place ourselves as a platform for dialogue,” he said, noting that this approach allows the museums to not just present historical content but to actively engage with current events and community needs.

Al-Naama pointed out that central to this mission is the innate commitment to sustainability ingrained within the very fabric of Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), citing the Mohammed Bin Jassim House, one of the Msheireb Museums’ four flagship institutions, as a prime example.

He said the Mohammed Bin Jassim House digs into the seven principles that shaped Msheireb’s architectural language, with a significant emphasis on sustainability.

“The focus on sustainability is rooted in Msheireb’s DNA, you can see it in Msheireb Downtown Doha," he stressed.

According to Msheireb Museums, the Mohammed Bin Jassim House offers visitors a unique journey through time, exploring Qatar’s past heritage, its ongoing development, and its vision for a sustainable future. It effectively chronicles Doha’s evolution and its impact on future planning, making the abstract concept of sustainability tangible and historically grounded.

Al-Naama also underlined the dual responsibility of Msheireb Museums as a cultural institution within MDD, saying: “It’s very important to shed light on those topics and raise awareness within the community, and also to have this dialogue with different policymakers internationally.

He said the museum’s commitment extends to fostering cross-generational and cross-sectoral dialogue, particularly evident in events that bring together youth and female leaders focused on climate action.

This, he added, aligns seamlessly with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) theme for this year: “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”

“For museums to be relevant to changing and emerging communities, I think it has to be in connection with the younger generation with topics that engage them with the museum,” said Al-Naama, stressing the importance for museums to remain relevant in an ever-evolving world.

He said this means extending beyond showcasing historical artifacts to actively involving visitors in “recent history”, an approach that ensures cultural institutions stay topical and meaningful to both local and international communities.

Al-Naama said Msheireb Museums is set to launch a unique exhibition later this year, titled “Heat”. This show, he added, aims to explore various facets of sustainability and draw on a comprehensive encyclopedia published collaboratively between Msheireb Properties and Harvard University several years ago.