The United Nations has announced that Adela Raz, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the UN, has been appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a member of the Independent Expert Advisory Board on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for the 2026–2030 term.
In a statement, the UN said that the board has been established to strengthen the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and to provide evidence-based assessments of the structural vulnerabilities of developing countries.
According to the statement, board members will serve in an independent capacity and play a key role in the three-year reviews of the index, monitoring countries’ progress, and providing policy recommendations.
The United Nations further emphasized that the advisory board consists of 15 experts from different countries with expertise in economic, social, environmental development, and resilience, and also includes representatives from the public sector, civil society, and academia.
The statement added that the MVI Advisory Board will hold its first meeting in 2026 and will begin preparations for the first three-year review of the index in 2028.
Adela Raz’s appointment comes at a time when the current authorities, following their takeover of Afghanistan, have deprived women and girls of education and learning opportunities. Most recently, they have closed medical institutes to women and girls, despite the nationwide shortage of healthcare personnel across Afghanistan.
These actions by the current authorities have resulted in millions of female students being denied access to education.
In addition, women have been barred from attending sports clubs, restaurants, and public bathhouses; from being examined by male doctors; from traveling without a male guardian; and from working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
