Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal, Md Shafiqur Rahman, has urged for the establishment of an annual Bangladesh-Nepal Cultural and Creative Exchange Programme.
The Envoy made the proposal on Wednesday during his address at the inauguration of the “Beautiful Bangladesh” International Photo Exhibition 2026, held at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO world-heritage site in Basantpur, Kathmandu, reads a press release.
The exhibition is jointly organised by the National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) Nepal and the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association (BPJA). Running as part of the Bangladesh-Nepal Photo Journalist Exchange Programme, the event aims to strengthen friendship, professional collaboration, cultural understanding, and tourism promotion between the two countries.
The event also commemorated World Photography Day. The inaugural ceremony was joined by the Acting Director General of the Nepal Tourism Board, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre, and various dignitaries from Nepal and China.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, the ambassador highlighted the importance of photography as a powerful means of communication and expression. He noted that the exhibition, hosted at a world heritage site on World Photography Day, provides the Nepali audience with an opportunity to discover Bangladesh’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and, most importantly, the everyday lives and aspirations of its people.
Recalling the deep cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal, the Envoy shed light on the common values and cultural and linguistic affinities of the two countries. He lauded the increasing exchange of tourists, especially from Bangladesh to Nepal, adding that people-to-people connectivity provides the major building block in the bilateral ties of the two neighbourly countries.
To further deepen cultural and people-to-people ties, the ambassador put forward two specific proposals- First, he proposed establishing the Annual Cultural and Creative Exchange Programme to bring together photographers, filmmakers, musicians, artists, writers, and other cultural practitioners from Bangladesh and Nepal. He suggested that the programme could include arranging joint exhibitions, cultural performances, film festivals, photography exchanges, and workshops, alternating between the two countries.
Second, he called for the greater use of digital platforms and contemporary media to promote the cultural heritage and tourism destinations of Bangladesh and Nepal. He urged the photojournalists’ associations of both countries to undertake joint tourism promotion initiatives showcasing the complementary attractions of the two beautiful countries.
The ambassador assured that the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu stands ready to support and facilitate such initiatives to the extent possible. Congratulating the NFPJ and BPJA on organising the exhibition on the occasion of World Photography Day, the Envoy expressed hope that the event would inspire greater interaction, two-way travel, professional cooperation, and friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and Nepal.
Later, the ambassador joined the Chinese Photography Exhibition organised by the Chinese Cultural Centre as the Guest of Honour. He delivered a courtesy speech as the Guest of Honour and toured the Chinese exhibition premises along with other guests.
