Diplomatic Desk:
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, visited the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, UK, to explore new avenues for cooperation with the United Kingdom. The visit aimed to strengthen Bangladesh’s cultural diplomacy, promote its art and culture internationally, and foster the development of its creative economy.
She visited the museum on Friday (October 30, 2026) at the invitation of the museum authorities. She was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK, Ambassador Mohammad Abdul Muhit, along with other senior officials.
During the visit, the State Minister toured the exhibition titled “Climate, Culture, Care” by Bangladeshi artist Soma Suravi Jannat. This exhibition holds special significance as it is the first solo showcase by an artist based in Bangladesh to be held at a museum in the United Kingdom. The State Minister expressed her admiration for the artist’s creativity, the depth of the artworks, and her unique artistic expression. Additionally, with the assistance of the museum’s curatorial team, she viewed several significant items from the museum’s collections.
Later, Shama Obaed Islam held a meeting with Dr. Mallica Kumbera Landrus, Keeper of Eastern Art and Curator at the Ashmolean Museum. The discussion focused on establishing partnerships between relevant institutions in both countries, enhancing cultural exchange, showcasing Bangladeshi artists on the international stage, and undertaking joint initiatives to develop Bangladesh’s creative economy.
This visit by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs reflects the growing international recognition of contemporary Bangladeshi art. It also underscores the Bangladesh government’s commitment to leveraging cultural diplomacy—a vital instrument of foreign policy—to foster mutual understanding, cultural connectivity, and long-term, friendly relations between the peoples of the two nations.
