Fahmida Khatun appointed to UN expert panel

Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has been appointed to the United Nations Secretary-General's Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI).

According to a press release, the 15-member panel, comprising global experts serving in their personal capacities, will guide the future development and application of the MVI.

It will work with the MVI Secretariat and the UN Statistical Commission to ensure the index remains methodologically sound, relevant, and effective for global policy processes.

Under UN General Assembly Resolution 78/322, the panel is mandated to review the MVI every three years, recommend methodological improvements, and monitor developing countries' progress in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience.

Khatun's appointment is an important recognition of Bangladesh's contribution to global development discourse, the press release said.

She will serve in her personal capacity, contributing to the panel's technical and policy-facing work to strengthen the relevance, robustness, and accessibility of the MVI.

Khatun is also a member of the High-level Advisory Board on the Productive Capacities Index of UNCTAD, a board member of BRAC, and a director of Bangladesh Bank.