His Excellency

Md. Shameem Ahsan

H.E. Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan assumed charges at the Embassy of Bangladesh to Italy on 21 November, 2020 with concurrent accreditation to Montenegro and Serbia. He is also Permanent Representative to FAO, IFAD and WFP, Rome. He assumed as President of the Executive Board of the Rome-based WFP (World Food Programme) on 28 February 2022 following election of Bangladesh unanimously as the President of the Board for the year 2022 for the first time in its First Regular Session(28 February-3 March,2022). A career diplomat, Mr. Ahsan joined Bangladesh Foreign Service on 1 April, 1993. Born on September 1, 1966 in Bangladesh, Ambassador Ahsan was educated at the University of Dhaka and has a Masters & Honors in Political Science (First Class First in both) from the same University. He stood first in order of merit in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination under Jessore Board in Humanities (1984) and received Chancellor's Award from the President. Also received numerous awards throughout his student life for his outstanding academic feat. 

Prior to his present assignment, he served as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria(June,2018-November,2020) with concurrent accreditation to Angola, Gambia, Liberia and Republic of Congo. He earlier served as Consul General (Grade C Ambassador) of Bangladesh in New York (April, 2014 - May, 2018). Mr. Ahsan served as the Director General (External Publicity) from March, 2011 - January, 2012 and January, 2013-April, 2014 and Director General (Europe) from January-April, 2013 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. Previously, he served at Bangladesh Missions in Washington DC (Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, September, 2008- February, 2011), in Rome (Counsellor/Minister, September, 2004 - August, 2008), in Nairobi (Second/First Secretary, December, 1997 - February, 2002), in Doha (Third/Second Secretary, January-December, 1997) and in Kuwait (Third Secretary, September, 1995 - January, 1997). Mr. Ahsan also served in various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. Responsibilities include: Director, SAARC (May, 2002-September, 2004), Senior Assistant Secretary (UN) and Assistant Secretary at various Desks (SAARC, Multilateral Economic Affairs, Americas & Pacific) in 2002 & 1993-1995. During the course of his long diplomatic career, he attended a number of Summits, numerous international conferences and important meetings/seminars in various countries.

Mr. Ahsan completed year-long National Defence Course (NDC) on security, strategic and development issues from the National Defence College, Mirpur, Dhaka (2012). He attended Washington Embassy Orientation Course at NESA Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University(NDU), Washington DC (October 2008). He also participated at 31st Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats(PCFD) conducted by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Ministry of External Affairs(MEA), Government of India, New Delhi, (October, 2002 - December, 2002). UNEP 4th Global Training Programme on Environmental Law and Policy at UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya (November-December, 1999), UNON/UNITAR Workshop on Presentation Skills under Geneva-based UNITAR's Multilateral Diplomacy and International Affairs Management Programme, Nairobi, Kenya (November, 1999), Arabic Language Course at the University of Kuwait (September, 1995-January, 1997), 14th Foundation Training Course at Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh (September, 1994- January, 1995) and 4th Training Course on Foreign Affairs at Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) Academy, Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh (August 1993 - February 1994). Ambassador Ahsan was the Editor, The Foreign Office (2009-2013) - a flagship publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the diplomatic achievements of the Government under the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the period January, 2009-September, 2013. He was the Editor, Foreign Office Briefing Notes (FOBN), monthly bulletin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka (2011, 2013-2014). Mr. Ahsan had a key role in bringing out the bulletin of the Ministry and was its first Editor. He was closely associated with the publication of “Liberation War: Friends of Bangladesh” published by the External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka (2015) which is a well-researched document on the names and particulars of the foreign nationals and organizations/entities who made enormous contributions during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Ambassador Ahsan delivered graduation lecture at the 24th convocation ceremony on 14 February, 2020 at Abuja University, Nigeria. Mr. Ahsan received "Consul General of the Year" Award from the Asian-American Congress, New York at the 32nd Annual Celebration of the Congress held on 28 October, 2016 as a recognition to his dedicated services to the Bangladesh diaspora and for strengthening relations between Bangladesh and USA.

Mr. Ahsan has written two books on diplomacy / international relations. (i) "Kutnitikosh" (Encyclopedia of Diplomacy) (ii) Antarjatic Bishayabali: Shamashaya & Shambhabana (International Issues: Problems & Prospects). Another research-based book (Branding Bangladesh: Ideas & Challenges) is expected to be published soon. He also published several articles on various issues such as role of Bengali diplomats during War of Liberation of Bangladesh, diplomatic immunity and privileges, country branding, environmental issues, economic relations, regionalism, South Asia, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and on literary issues.

Special interest of Mr. Ahsan is Country Branding and Climate Diplomacy. An ardent debater throughout his student life, Ambassador Ahsan enjoys reciting poems. He won a gold medal in his school life (1980) for the best written essay at the national level.

Married to Pandora Chowdhury, they have a daughter.