Fahmida Khatun appointed as member of UN chief’s independent expert panel on MVI

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed local think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue’s (CPD) Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun as a member of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI).

The 15-member global panel, comprising experts who will serve in their personal capacities, will play a central role in guiding the future development and application of the MVI. It will work alongside the MVI Secretariat and the UN Statistical Commission to ensure the Index remains methodologically sound, relevant and effective for global policy processes.

According to a statement, 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.

It will also consider issues raised by the UN Statistical Commission and the General Assembly and review lessons learned from the application of the MVI across the UN system.

Dr Fahmida Khatun’s appointment is an important recognition of Bangladesh’s contribution to global development discourse. She will serve on the panel in her personal capacity, contributing to its technical and policy-facing work to strengthen the continued relevance, robustness and accessibility of the MVI.

It may be noted that Dr Fahmida Khatun is also a member of the High-level Advisory Board on Productive Capacities Index of the UNCTAD, a Board Member of BRAC and a Board Director of the Bangladesh Bank.