Development economist Nazneen Ahmed has been appointed executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), effective from 1 September 2026.
Nazneen Ahmed brings nearly three decades of experience in economic research, policy analysis and development practice in Bangladesh and internationally, CPD said in a statement.
Before joining CPD, Ahmed served at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), first as country economist at UNDP Bangladesh for two years and later as policy advisor at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in New York for three years.
She previously spent 25 years at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, where she joined as a research associate in July 1998 and rose through various research positions to become research director.
Nazneen Ahmed’s research and policy interests include international trade, industry and employment, governance, gender equality, social protection and inclusive growth.
Throughout her career, she has worked with several international organisations, including the World Bank, Department for International Development, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, International Labour Organization, International Finance Corporation, European Union, International Food Policy Research Institute and Islamic Development Bank.
She has published research articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals, contributed chapters to books published by international publishers and prepared research reports for global development organisations.
Nazneen Ahmed holds a PhD in Economics from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Dhaka and was a Chevening Scholar.
CPD said Nazneen Ahmed’s experience in research, public policy formulation and international development would support its efforts to promote evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development in Bangladesh.
