Diplomatic Desk:
An important meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (March 9, 2026) with the aim of developing cultural diplomacy in Bangladesh and enhancing the country’s reputation in different countries of the world. The meeting was attended by Minister for Cultural Affairs Mr. Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mrs. Shama Obaid Islam, MP, and Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Mr. Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam, MP. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and other high-ranking officials of both ministries.
The meeting was organized with the aim of strengthening Bangladesh’s cultural diplomacy. The meeting discussed how the country’s image can be improved through cultural exchange programs, international cultural festivals, music and dance performances, art exhibitions, book fairs, folk music programs, food exhibitions and visits to historical and archaeological sites, etc.
This was the first initiative meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Shama Obaid Islam. The meeting reviewed the existing and in-progress agreements, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP). It was decided that the existing agreements will be implemented and the early finalization of the in-progress agreements will be ensured.
Both the Ministries expressed their commitment to expand Bangladesh’s cultural diplomacy globally through their continuous coordination. At the end of the meeting, it was expressed that cultural diplomacy will play an important role in enhancing Bangladesh’s soft power and will be helpful in reactivating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
